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COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 



ECHOES 



FROM THE 



BATTLEFIELD; 



OR, 



SOUTHERN LIFE DURING 
THE WAR. 



BY 



NOBLE C. W 1 L L I A AI S, 

OF ATLANTA, GA. 



ATI.ANTA, GA.: 

THE I'R.\.N"I<LI.N" PRINTING AND rVBLISIIINC; COMrANV; 
I go 2. 





NOV. 10 1902 

CLA5S C\> x.\c. No 










Copyrighted, 1902, 

By 

Noble C. Williams. 



r^ 



a^ 



\j' 



I affectionately dedicate this book to 

/ic>\? mate, 

whose love and helpfulness have ever been an 
inspiration to me ; and to my son, 

•Moble C. 'mflilliams, 5r., 

that he may remember the history of Ins 
forefathers. 



PREFACE. 



After a lapse of mauy years a retrospective mood possessed 
ray thoughts, aud for a brief period I was no longer a man but a 
boy full of life, and was once more playing with other children 
on the grounds of the old homestead, enjoying myself as only a 
healthy lad can; and while thus musing every scene in the grand 
but cruel panorama of war passed rapidly before ray vision and 
tempted me so strougly that I could not resist the temptation to 
write and leave to my only child a true record of events as they 
occurred during that stormy period of our civil war. This is the 
only apology I can offer for this faulty little publication ; but 
since it is finished, I now offer it to all who are willing to pass 
its imperfections by; and hope that.some of its readers who were 
so fortunate as to escape the realities of war may by its perusal 
glean something of interest. And may some of the characters 
in it be found worthy of emulation. I have added some very 
beautiful poems by the best of authors, which will be found ex- 
ceedingly instructive as well as pleasing. 



PREFACfi. 



After a lapse ot mauy years a retrospective mood possessed 
ray thoughts, aud for a brief period I was no longer a man but a 
boy full of life, and was once more playing with other children 
on the grounds of the old homestead, enjoying myself as only a 
healthy lad can; and while thus musing every scene in the grand 
but cruel panorama of war passed rapidly before my vision aud 
tempted me so strongly that I could not resist the temptation to 
write and leave to my only child a true record of events as they 
occurred during that stormy period of our civil war. This is the 
only apology I can offer for this faulty little publication ; but 
since it is finished, I now offer it to all who are willing to pass 
its imperfections by; and hope that .some of its readers who were 
so fortunate as to escape the realities of war may by its perusal 
glean something of interest. Aud may some of the characters 
in it be found worthy of emulation. I have added some very 
beautiful poems by the best of authors, which will be found ex- 
ceedingly instructive as well as pleasing. 



CONTENTS, 

CHAPTER I. 

A Young Man's Struggle for an Education. 1 

CHAPTER II. 

Thk Young Doctor L(jcates and is Happily 
Married . 3 

CHAPTER III. 

Moves to a New Home ; Death of their First 
Born 7 

CHAPTER IV. 

Settles for Life as the War Blasts are 
Sounded __ 11 

CHAPTER V. 

The South Secedes ; a Son to the Army and 
Return 14 

CHAPTER VI. 

Two Sons and a Y'oung Northerner to the 
Front .. _.. 20 



VrtI CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER VII. 

Dkath of their Soldier Son, Pickens Noble. 24 

CHAPTER YIII. 

Death of the Northern Boy, Robert Clingan, 
ON the Battlefield 27 

CHAPTER IX. 

Bombardment of Atlanta by Gen. Sherman. 30 

CHAPTER X. 

The Doctor's First Illness ; the Heroism Dis- 
played BY His Wifk while Driving aav^ay 
Robbers 34 

CHAPTER XI. 

Battle of the 22d of July, Death of Gen- 
erals Walker and McPherson 39 

CHAPTER XII. 

Invasion by Plunderers after the Depart- 
ure OF Gen. Sherman 46 

CHAPTER XIII. 

The Setting on Fire of Munitions of War 
by the Confederates 48 



CONTENTS. 'X 



CHAPTER XIV 



The Family Scattered, Edward's RF/niRN and 
Death - ^^ 

CHAPTER XV. 

A Reunion of the Doctor's Family, an]> Death 

OF Aged Couple --- '^-'^ 

Letter from a Union Surgeon at the Close 

OF THE War ^^* 

Orphan Girl's Prayer., 63 

The War is Over 65 

Miscellaneous War Poems - - 71-92 



ECHOES FROM THE BATTLEFIELD 

OR 

SOUTHERN LIFE DURING THE WAR. 



CHAPTER I. 

Before the rude blasts of war were souuded and the sis- 
ter States' of this Union had ceased to dwell in peace, there 
resided in the beautiful and thrifty little city of Atlanta, 
Oa., a truly Southern family, the father of which was a 
South Carolinian by birth and an inheritant of the best 
blood of that State. He removed to Georgia when quite a 
young man to practice his chosen profession, which was 
that of healing the sick. No man was ever better quali- 
fied to perform the duties of physician and surgeon than 
this noble doctor, for by hard study at the best of schools 
he had been pronounced one of the most classical of schol- 
ars. After he had finished school he attended Jefferson 
Medical College of Philadelphia, Pa., and became anM.D., 
and quite proud he must have been to know that he re- 
ceived the reward for which he had striven so hard, under 
such difficulties as riding all the way from his home on 
the banks of the Savannah river to Philadelphia and return 
on horseback, through a rough, broken, and sparsely set- 
tled country ; where the Indians were still roaming around 



2 ECHOES FROM THE BATTLEFIELD 

and not many of them were on very cordial terms with the 
whites ; where the wild beasts of the forest were a constant 
menace to life and liml>, and wild game was so plentiful 
as to attract but little attention, such difficulties to be met 
with were sure ; for the iron-horse was not then in general 
use, and many a timid lad would have been content to dwell 
on the banks of the Savannah and lead the life of a farmer, 
rather than brave the discomforts and dangers of travel. 
But not so with this noble young man, who, while it may 
be said of him that he was very delicate, yet the fires of 
ambition were kindled to a glowing heat within his mighty 
brain, and he pressed forward and obtained the glittering 
prize which fitted him to proficiently practice as physician 
and surgeon. For not as now, when each medical man 
must practice as a specialist, he was forced to attend to a 
general practice as j)hysician and surgeon. After bidding 
grand old Jefferson a last farewell, he started on his home- 
ward journey, which was an uneventful one, save the 
thoughts which filled his brain while going to obtain his 
education were entirely different on the home-coming ; for 
he wont forth a delicate young man filled with swamp 
malaria, eager to obtain his chosen profession, and while 
drinking from the Jefferson fountain of knowledge he also 
drank of the pure crystal waters of the Schuylkill river, 
which restored him to perfect health. Thus as he pressed 
forward on his homeward journey in the full strength of a 
vigorous manhood, he was indeed a happy man. 



OR SOUTHEEN LIFE DURING THE WAR. 



CHAPTER II. 

Arriving at home after a long and tiresome journey, where 
he was received with overflowing love and pride by his 
family, he felt fully repaid for the trials and hardships he 
had undergone and the diligence devoted to study. While 
at home he must make a decision as to a location where 
to begin his practice. After several trips and much thought 
on the subject he selected Elbert county, Georgia, as his 
future home. He soon made friends among the people 
and began to do some practice, and was frequently called 
on profifessionally to attend the sick of the adjoining county 
of Wilkes. Among the men of this county there was one 
who was greatly pleased with the young Doctor C. He 
was a quaint middle-aged Irishman by the name of Ned 
Malalley, who was exceedingly good-hearted, as most Irish- 
men are. It was he who first introduced Doctor C. to his 
future wife, which was performed in the following unique 
manner, "Miss Lucy, allow me the pleasure of introducing 
to you, my young, handsome, and greatly esteemed friend 

Doctor C, and it is a great pity he drinks, water." Miss 

Lucy was greatly shocked at such a queer introduction, es- 
pecially as it took the water so long to take. Doctor 0. 
was at once completely charmed with the beautiful Miss 
Lucy at this their first meeting. Her lovely figure, tall and 
graceful, with eyes of exquisite blue, and a complexion of 
alabaster tinted with roses, formed as she stood before him, 



4 ECHOES FROM THE BATTLEFIELD 

a picture of perfect health and loveliness — one which could 
not be hidden from his vision. While stooping over the bed- 
side of some sick one this vision of female loveliness would 
flash forth before him, and when tired and worn-out from 
the labors of the long day he sought his much-needed rest, 
no sooner would his eyelids close than the idol of his heart, 
his guardian angel, would appear to him in his dreams. 
Such a state of affairs was not destined long to exist, for in 
the short while he had known her, he had loved her as he 
had loved none other, and felt that to live apart from her 
sweet presence was a punishment greater than he could 
bear; hence his calls to see her were more and more fre- 
quent, and as at length he thought he could see in return 
for his own the lovelight kindle in her eyes, he asked her 
to become his wife ; while she in her modest and womanly 
way made answer yes. It had been to both like one of 
those rare old cases of love at first sight. Iler father was 
a farmer possessed of some means and sheriff of the county 
in which he resided, and it was at his beautiful old-fashioned 
southern country home, one surrounded i)y every comfort, 
that these two hearts, which for some months past had beat 
in unison, were now to be united in one. The day had 
dawned beautiful and bright; the woodland and the mead- 
ows were aglow with the beauties of spring; the little violets 
were shyly ])eeping out from their leafy beds; the grassy 
meadows were wrapt in their rich carpets of green; the 
trees and leafy bowers were filled with beautiful birds, 
which were pouring forth upon the flower-perfumed air 



OR SOUTHERN LIFE DURING THE WAR. 5 

their sweet melodious anthems of joy; the broad and well- 
kept winding country roadway was more lovely than ever 
before, and all nature seemed to speak of happiness. It was 
under such favorable circumstances that Doctor C, accom" 
panied by a friend, after a short drive, arrived at the home 
of his loved one, just as the golden sun was slowly sinking 
to rest behind a bank of snow-white clouds, the edges of 
which were tinted with a delicate blending of rose and pur- 
ple; and as its last rays penetrated the tops of the majestic 
old oaks, the scene was one of such exquisite beauty as never 
to be forgotten. Once on the inside of this hospitable old 
homestead, all except the invited guests were very busy 
making preparations for the gorgeous repast which was to be 
partaken of immediately after the wedding. The spacious 
parlors had already been tastefully arranged, and the serv- 
ants were busy in the dining-room placing all of the delica- 
cies of the season on the snowy tables, which fairly groaned 
under the weight of the good things. The negro servants 
who by the way were devoted to Miss Lucy, were happy in 
anticipation of the approaching festivities, as they well knew 
that they were to be permitted to enjoy themselves to the 
uttermost the same as the whites, the only difference being 
that they were to sup last, but not least. Soon after the 
candles were lighted the minister arrived, and all of the 
assembled guests were ushered into the spacious parlors 
followed by the bride and groom, where the quiet but im- 
pressive marriage ceremony was performed. After which 
all repaired to the dining-room to partake of a most deli- 



6 ECHOES FROM THE BATTLEFIELD 

cious repast, and iudulge in spoken good wishes for the 
future of Doctor C. and his newly found wife. For an 
hour or more, amid congratulations, joy and mirth pervaded 
the surrounding atmosphere, and • would have continued 
longer had not the doctor and his bride arranged to be 
transported to their future home at an early hour ; so the 
good-byes were hastily spoken, and good wishes for their 
prosperity and health said ; but amid all the gaiety there was 
much of sorrow. The friends of Miss Lucy were loath to 
part with her, as many had known and loved her from 
earliest childhood; the eyes of her fond parents were now 
filled with tears, because of their many doubts and fears 
for the future of their darling. But none seemed to take 
to heart the thoughts of an indefinite separation more than 
the black mammy who had nursed and cradled her from her 
babyhood; and as she stooped and kissed the brow of that 
fair young bride, and bade her farewell, M'ith a God bless 
you, my honey, my child, the tears (lowing down her dusky 
cheeks like rain, none present could have doubted the love 
and sincerity of this poor old soul. 



OR SOUTHERN LIFE DURING THE WAR. 



CHAPTER III. 

A short while before his marriage Dr. C. had taken a 
trip to the then busy little town of Decatur, Ga., and while 
there he decided to change his location from Elbert county 
to Decatur. He therefore purchased a beautiful large lot 
with a small plain cottage at a very low price, as his means 
were very limited, a fact which had been made known to 
Miss Lucy and her parents. Her family possessed ample 
means to have given the young people quite a nice start, 
which they freely offered, but was courteously but firmly 
declined by the proud-spirited young doctor, preferring 
love in a cottage, for which he had struggled, to affluence 
which came as a gift. After traveling half of one night 
and nearly one full day by private conveyance, they ar- 
rived in the little town of Decatur, and were very cordially 
received by the doctor's friends. They spent a few days at 
the pleasant little inn of the town, after which they fur- 
nished and moved into their little cottage, where love now 
reigned supreme. Soon after they commenced housekeep- 
ing the doctor was kept very busy answering calls, some of 
which carried him many miles from home ; and sometimes 
he was detained for quite a while, owing to the serious 
condition of the patient. 

It would seem that such an existing state of affairs 
could afford but little pleasure to the wife of but a few 
months, as she was so frequently unavoidably forced to re- 



8 ECHOES FKOM THE BATTLEFIELD 

main alone for a considerable length of time; but such was 
not the case, for while she felt some fear and frequent spells 
of loneliness crept over her, yet with a brave heart she 
cast aside the unpleasant features of life and looked on the 
bright side of everything which might pertain to his and 
her future happiness. Thus she lived, passing her time as 
most women do in attending to the many household duties 
necessarily incumbent upon them. She also spent much 
time in the front yard, where many trees had been left 
standing and innumerable stumps were to be found; it re- 
quired much labor to remove the stumps and put the lajid 
in a suitable condition for a lawn and flower-yard. As 
she was frequently without a servant, her own fair and 
delicate hands would often use a hoe in digging around and 
removing the stumps. By doing a little from day to day 
she soon had the front yard in such a condition that it was 
but little trouble to sow the lawn and plant flowers, which 
soon began to grow and blossom ; and although it had been 
quite a tiresome undertaking for one so unused to labor^ 
yet it occupied her time and thereby dispelled that spirit 
of loneliness which would unbiddden so often steal over 
her during the absence of her husband. And it was such 
a pleasure to take his arm and stroll over the grassy lawn 
and sit beneath the wide-spreading boughs of the majestic 
oaks, or pluck the beautiful flowers ; thus they spent many 
pleasant hours together. The people of Decatur were 
highly cultured as well as neighborly, and it was but a 
short while before Dr. C. and his wife could number many 



OR SOUTHERN LIFE DURING THE WAR. 9 

of the select families among their best friends, and their 
exchange of visits were mutually enjoyable. After a resi- 
dence of a year their little home was destined no longer 
to be lonesome, for a bright little blue-eyed rosy-cheeked 
boy came as a blessing to their household and to lay claim 
to the attention of the fond mother, whose joy was now in- 
expressible. This little fellow, as time passed on, began to 
walk and prattle, and he was named John C, in honor of 
a relative, one of the South's greatest statesmen. Little 
John was not long to be left without playmates, for two 
lovely little twin sisters, Georgia and Carolina, came to 
bring more happiness to the household. And as the years 
passed by the following girls and boys were added to the 
family: Virginia, Indiana, Missouri, Louisiana, Florida, 
Edward, Pickens, and two daughters who died in infancy. 
Louisiana also died while a baby; the living children all 
grew up to be handsome and intelligent men and women. 
When John C. reached man's estate there were but few 
men in the State who could compare with him, for he was 
of a tall and commanding figure, and also intellectually 
gifted, and as soon as he acquired his collegiate and medi- 
cal education he moved to Lee county, Georgia, and com- 
menced the practice of medicine under most favorable con- 
ditions; but when in the zenith of his practice he was 
stricken with a critical tumor, and as there were none but 
ignorant doctors attending him, he succumbed to the dis- 
ease and passed from this earth to the realms above. This 
was the first great sorrow the doctor's family had ever 



10 ECHOES FROM THE BATTLEFIELD 

known, and, if possible, was greatly magnified, for they 
were not permitted to attend his wants and bestow 
that watchful care which parents only can bestow upon a 
child, nor close his eyes at death. He had kind friends to 
attend his wants, but they could not take the place of lov- 
ing parents. But the doctor's family were not permitted 
to grieve alone, for there were no hearts who felt his loss 
more keely than the loving ones of the two faithful col- 
ored servants, Aunt Ellen and Uncle John, and freely 
their tears mingled with those of his sorrowing parents. 



OR SOUTHERN LIFE DURING THE WAR. H 



CHAPTER IV. 

Soou after the death of John C, the doctor moved with 
his small family to the little village of Atlanta, six miles 
northwest of Decatur, where he lived for many years, to 
watch its marvelous growth from a village to a very im- 
portant city. He lived to behold the lighted torches of 
Oen. Wm. T. Sherman applied to its houses, from which 
the fiery flames leaped high in air, roaring and crackling 
until their venomous work of destruction was complete, and 
nothing was left but heaps of blackened ruins to mark the 
spot where the proud little city once stood. The doctor 
moved to Atlanta in the early fifties, and in 1860 he resi- 
ded in the southern portion of the city in a well-appointed 
two-story house, containing a tall basement, situated on a 
beautiful two-acre lot, on which was a fine orchard, vine- 
yard and garden spot, barn, smoke-house, servants' house, 
and beautiful flower yard. The barn contained its horses 
and cows, the fowl house was well filled with poultry, and 
the servants' house was occupied by a sufficient number of 
negroes to keep the place in perfect condition. The orchard 
was a prolific producer of every kind of fruit known to 
this section of the South; even the almond tree blossomed 
and matured its fruit, and the garden products were varied 
and plentiful, giving the family a supply of the most choice 
vegetables in their season. At this particular period in 
their lives Doctor C. and family had nothing to wish for, 



12 ECHOES FROM THE BATTLEFIELD 

surrounded as they were by every comfort, as well as that 
greatest of blessings health, coupled with a large, growings 
and lucrative practice, w^hich the doctor was daily receiv- 
ing; and in addition every member of his family, with the 
exception of Virginia who moved to New Jersey at the 
time of her marriage, and Missouri who had but recently 
married and lived quite near them, w^as sheltered beneath 
the one roof, including Carolina, now a widow, w'ho mar- 
ried in 1848, and her only child, a little boy five years of 
age. But during the year of 18G0 the whole country was 
greatly agitated, and excitement was at its highest pitch. 
Congressmen and senators, as well as the politicians of each 
State, as it now seems, were striving to create the senti- 
ment of discord and hatred of one section for the other. 
Slave-holding and States' rights were the principal questions 
for discussion. The South strongly advocated both, while 
the North as firmly opposed them, and the discussions from 
day to day grew warmer and more intense, and bitter feel- 
ings were thus engendered to such an extent, that the 
South felt that rather than engage in a constant quarrel, 
it would be better to leave the house of its fathers and 
dwell in peace alone ; but the North took a different view 
of the situation and desired the South to remain in the old 
homestead, which would iiave been better ; but the hot 
blood of the South had been thoroughly stirreci u]), and 
they had determined to secede from the Union and form a 
confederacy of their own. Doctor C, who was a man of 
strong political opinions and was very aggressive in any 



OR SOUTHERN LIFE DURING THE AVAR. 



i-s 



cause he chose to espouse, was a Unionist, and 'strongly 
opposed the dissolution of the Union, but was greatly in 
the minority, as a majority of his friends and most of his 
relatives were extreme secessionists. He did not attempt to 
conceal his views, but on the contrary was continually ad- 
vocating his cause with much vigor; so much so, that an 
editor of a leading paper, who differed with him politically, 
yet at the same time was his true friend under all circum- 
stances, urged him to keep quiet, as he had heard mutter- 
ings and threats which might land him in prison; but to 
all this the doctor bade defiance, as he did on all occasions 
when he felt deep conviction. 



14 ECHOES FROM THE BATTLEFIELD 



CHAPTER V. 

Soou after this, first one, and then another of the South- 
ern States seceded, until at last his own State joined the 
alliance, all of which was displeasing to him. These States 
soon formed a compact known as the Confederate States 
of America, No sooner had this been accomplished than 
the bombardment of Fort Sumter took place, which ush- 
ered into existence one of the most terrible aud destructive 
wars ever known to history, — a war in which brother fought 
against brother, and father was arrayed against son, and 
continued for nearly four long years ; nor did it cease un- 
til it had left the South truly desolate. The shrill blast 
of the bugle, as it called for men good and true as volun- 
teers to sustain its newly created government, did not fail, 
as it sounded, to penetrate the peaceful home of Doctor C, 
where it stirred up the warlike spirit of his two young 
sons, Edward Livingston aud Pickens Noble. Edward at 
once hastened to obey the summons, and was one among 
the first in his city to enlist for military service, as did also 
a young Northern man, Robert Clingan by name, who had 
lived with the family of Doctor C. for more than a year, 
and was as much attached to them as if they had been his 
own blood kin. Pickens Noble, the younger son, also 
wanted to enlist, but as he had not reached his majority, 
he was by the stern command of his father forced to re- 
main at home. How those days of the long ago, which have 



OR SOUTHERN LIFE DURING THE WAR. 15 

slumbered within the walls of my memory for more than 
thirty-five years, flash forth as brightly before ray vision 
as if they were but yesterday. And in my fancy I can hear 
the drums beating and the bands playing, and see the 
glistening bayonets gleaming as they are upheld by men 
clad in bright uniforms, whose plumes are waving as they 
begin the march of years. And amid all that brave host 
of soldiers, as they go forth to battle for ;the right, none 
seem more manly or soldierly in their bearing than Ed- 
ward Livingston and his friend Robert. How well I re- 
member the parting scene as they came in the house to say 
good-bye ; father, mother, sisters, and brother are all assem- 
bled, but this assemblage does not seem the joyous one of 
months ago. A dreadful feeling of unrest, a shadow of sad- 
ness is written on the countenance of each as they say 
good-bye amid caresses and tears ; but God alone can only 
know the heartaches of the fond mother as she showers 
kiss after kiss upon his cheek and brow and enfolds him 
in her loving embrace ; as she feels it may be for years, and 
it may be forever, the separation. But one comforting 
thought to calm her drooping spirit appears, and that is 
that God in his tender mercy may, when the cruel war is 
over, restore him to her sheltering arms once more ; and 
then there comes to her a spirit of pride, when she thinks 
of him as a gallant soldier son loyal to a righteous cause, 
for which all are praying to succeed. He had gone forth 
to battle, and if needs be, to die in defense of his country. 
Not long after his departure the news of battles in which 



16 ECHOES FROM THE BATTLEFIELD 

he was engaged came from the front ; his name was to be 
found neither among the dead, dying, wounded, or captur- 
ed, which brought to his loved ones a feeling of joy. For 
nearly two years Edward with his infantry command was 
to be found in the thickest of many hard-fought battles, 
but at length the term of their enlistment drew to a close, 
and they were mustered out of service, each soldier return- 
ing to his own home. Edward was truly glad to have the 
opportunity of returning once more to his dear old home, 
where the fond parents, sisters, and brother were with out- 
stretched arms anxiously awaiting his arrival; nor did they 
have long to wait, for Edward was equally as desirous of 
beholding their dear faces once more as they were to see 
his. While he was quite a long distance from home when 
discharged, yet it took him but a short time, as he hasten- 
ed with all possible speed to reach home. Once home he 
was for many days the idol of the household, and the grand 
reception given him was but a gentle reminder of the 
welcome reception given the prodigal son. For many days 
he was the center of attraction at home and abroad, for 
the people never grew tired of listening to this soldier 
boy as he related his thrilling experiences when on the red 
fields of carnage, his hair-breadth escapes when so nearly 
captured, the many ghastly sights he saw ; and the acts of 
bravery and cowardice displayed by men when engaged in 
battle. 

His stay at home was destined to be of but short dura- 
tion, for the government had issued another call for vol- 



OR SOUTHERN LIFE DURING THE WAR, 17 

unteers, as the array had been largely depleted, occasioned 
by the loss of men whose terms of enlistment had expired, 
as well as the many who were killed in battle. An im- 
mense number of troops were now greatly desired to enable 
the South in some measure to compete in numerical strength 
with the large and rapidly increasing power of the Union 
army. When the call came Edward and Robert were not long 
in deciding to re-enlist for two years longer. But as they had 
given the infantry their services in the past, they had now 
decided to enter the cavalry branch of the service; but 
this time these two young men were to have company, for 
young Pickens Noble, who had by this time nearly reached 
his majority, had decided to enter the service. His father, 
as on the former occasion, vigorously protested, but Pick- 
ens firmly insisted on going into service; he informed his 
father that all young men who remained at home would be 
termed cowards, and that he would rather fill an honorable 
soldier's grave than be branded as a coward. His determined 
argument finally gained for him the consent of his father, 
and he, Edward and Robert joined Company B, Fulton 
Dragoons, a cavalry company organized in their city. Ed- 
ward was an accomplished musician and acted as bugler for 
his company, which was drilling, perfecting itself in the use 
of cavalry arms ; and when they were sufficiently well 
drilled they were ordered to go to the front and report for 
duty. On the morning of the departure it would be hard 
to depict a sadder scene ; the leave-taking two years before 

2 si 



18 ECHOES FROM THE BATTLEFIELD 

was nothing to compare with it, for at that time only one 
of the boys was to go, but now the youngest and last was 
to be sacrificed on the altar of his country. But tears 
could not continue to forever flow; why should they? Was 
there not a comforting ray of hope remaining from the ex- 
periences of the two who had seen hard service in the past, 
going through and coming out of many hard-fought bat- 
tles unscathed — not even a scratch or scar to tell of the 
many hardships they had endured ? The boys were soon 
assigned to serve under thatgallant and gentlemanly South- 
ern soldier, General Wade Hampton, then stationed in 
Virginia, whose command acliieved so much praise for 
their gallantry during the latter two years of the strug- 
gle between the States. It was during this campaign 
that the boys were sorely tried, for the marches were ex- 
ceedingly long and tiresome, and the duties severely hard 
as well as dangerous. Battles were a very frequent occur- 
rence, and during one of the most terrible conflicts of the 
war Edward, who, I have failed to state, was a tnost skill- 
ful physician and surgeon, was j)laced in charge of an am- 
bulance to drive over the battle-field and bring in the se- 
riously wounded and give them the much-needed medical 
attention. On this particular occasion, while driving his 
ambulance filled with wounded soldiers, the enemy charged 
the Confederates across the field where the wounded sol- 
diers lay. While the rifles were raining their leaden hail, 
the cannonading w'as very severe, and one of the exploding 
shells had the audacity to tear the greater portion of the top 



OR SOUTHERN LIFE DURING THE WAR. 19 

of the ambulance off without injury to Dr. Edward; but un- 
fortunately for him he was taken prisoner, but only remain- 
ing so for a few moments, as the Confederates, in recharg- 
ing, gave him an opportunity to escape, which he quickly 
took, and drove rapidly onward to his own troops, which 
he soon reached without even receiving a scratch. 



20 ECHOES FROM THE BATTLEFIELD 



CHAPTER VI. 

Pickens Noble was a tall, strikingly handsome young- 
man, well-formed, with large gray eagle eyes, and as brave 
as a lion ; but camp life had not seemed to agree with him 
from the very first. His brother Edward could with his 
pi'acticed eye discern that some serious disease was threat- 
ening to take away his life, and so solicitous was he for 
Pickens's welfare that he advised him to get a furlough, go 
home and take a much-needed rest ; where, by the kindly 
attention of their dear mother and medical treatment of 
their fiither, he had hopes of his complete recovery. To all 
the entreaties of Edward he kindly but firmly turned a 
deaf ear; he flattered himself into believing that he did 
not feel so badly as might be suppased; and while he would 
be glad of the j^'ivilege of returning to the loved ones at 
home, yet as a true soldier he felt that his duty bade him 
stay at his post as long as he was permitted to sit in his 
saddle or raise a carbine to his shoulder in defense of his 
country; for nothing but bravery fired by an ambition to 
perform mighty deeds could have led him into such a serious 
error. He gradually but surely faded away, his strength 
failed, his vision grew dim, his cheeks were hollow, and 
his attenuated frame told only too truly of the near ap- 
proach of that unchecked conqueror who was now on the 
way to transform a soldier of Hampton's Legion to a sol- 
dier of the cross. The well-trained eye of Edward had not 



OR SOUTHERN LIFE DURING THE WAR. 21 

been deceived, for Pickeus grew rapidly worse from day to 
day; he was removed from camp by his brother to the 
home of a kind Christian Virginia family, where, by the 
mother and daughter of that household, he was most faith- 
fully watched, nursed and waited upon as tenderly as if he 
had been a son and brother, but to no saving purpose, for 
hard riding and severe exposure had brought on a disease 
from which he could never recover. Only a few more days 
of weariness, and the tired body of our soldier boy who 
had worn a jacket of gray had passed away, and his spirit 
was to give answer to the roll-call of Heaven, where white 
robes are gladly given in exchange for gray. 



THE FADED GRAY JACKET. 



Fold it up carefully, and lay it aside ; 
Tenderly touch it, look on it with pride. 
For dear must it be to our hearts evermore, 
The jacket of gray our loved soldier-boy wore. 



Can we ever forget when he joined the brave band. 
Who rose in defense of our dear Southern land, 
And in his bright youth hurried on to the fray? 
How proudly he donned it — the jacket of the gray ! 



22 ECHOES FROM THE BATTLEFIELD 



His fond mother blessed bim, and looked up above, 
Commending to Heaven the child of her love ; 
"What anguish was her's mortal tongue cannot say, 
When he passed from her sight in the jacket of gray ! 

4 
But her country had called, and she could not repine. 
Though costly the sacrifice placed on its shrine ; 
Her heart's dearest hopes on its altar she'd lay, 
When she sent out her boy in the jacket of gray. 

5 
Months passed, and war's thunders rolled over the land ; 
Unsheathed was the sword and lighted the brand ; 
We heard in the distance the sounds of the fray, 
And prayed for our boy in the jacket of gray. 

6 
All vain, all in vain, were our prayers and our tears; 
The glad shout of victory rang in our ears ; 
But our treasured one on the red battle-field lay, 
W^hile the life-blood oozed out on the jacket of gray. 

7 

His young comrades found him, and tenderly bore 
His cold, lifeless form to his home by the shore ; 
Oh ! dark were our hearts on that terrible day. 
When we saw our dead boy in the jacket of gray. 



OR SOUTHERN LIFE DURING THE WAR. 23 

8 

Ah ! spotted, and tattered, aud stained now with gore, 

Was the garment which once he so proudly wore ; 

AVe bitterly wept as we took it away, 

And replaced with death's white robe — the jacket of gray. 

9 

We laid him to rest, in his cold, narrow bed, 
And 'graved on the marble we placed o'er his head. 
As the proudest tribute our sad hearts could pay, 
" He never disgraced the jacket of gray." 

10 

Then fold it up carefully, lay it aside. 
Tenderly touch it, look on it with pride — 
For dear to our hearts must it be evermore. 
The Jacket of Gray our loved soldier-boy wore. 

Caroline A. Ball, 

Of Charleston, S. C. 



24 ECHOES FROM THE BATTLEFIELD 



CHAPTER VII. 

Bat let digressioD here take place, aud with our thoughts 
retrace so much of our story as shall carry us back to the 
place where Pickeus had resolved to euter the army. 
AVhile down in the city a few days before his departure he 
visited one of his merchant friends at his store, and while 
there noticed some duck eggs, and expressed a wish to take 
a few home and have his mother set them under a hen, and 
should they hatch he felt sure they would be a great pleas- 
ure to her, as she was fond of raising all kinds of fowls. 
His friend declined to receive any pay for them, but kindly 
})resented them to him; he carried them home and gave 
them to his mother, who at once set them under a hen, and 
as a result two little ducks, a pair, were hatched, but not 
until Pickens was many miles away. The ducks grew 
nicely, and it was a custom of Mrs. C.,once or twice weekly, 
in company w'ith her little grandson, to take the ducks 
down into the orchard and dig earthworms for them, as 
they were very fond of them. The ducks were very tame 
and would readily follow her from the yard to the orchard 
in quest of their favorite food. On one of the usual for- 
aging expeditions ]\Irs. C, accompanied by her grandson 
and the ducks, went to the orchard, and with a hoe began 
to dig up the worms. While thus engaged one of the ducks 
who seemed more greedy than the other, unfortunately 
shoved its bill down just as the hoe in the bands of Mrs. 



OR SOUTHERN LIFE DURING THE WAR. 25 

C, descended; it struck oflF cue corner of the duck's beak. 
This little accident, while entirely unavoidable, brought 
to the eyes of both, tears of genuine sorrow, for as pets 
they had loved them long and truly; but the hurt did not 
seem to disturb the duck for any considerable time, for it 
was soon its happy self again, devouring worms with seem- 
ingly as much pleasure as before, but with perhaps a little 
less greed, as it seemed to have learned its lesson. While 
w^addling around the yard the mate of this duck, soon after 
the accident, was observed to suddenly spring into the air 
and fall back dead. 

Strange as it may seem to relate, in a few days there 
came by letter an announcement of Pickens's death, and 
from a comparison of dates it was found that about the time 
the accident occurred to the first duck Pickens was taken 
seriously sick, and passed away on the same day that the 
other duck died. He now sweetly sleeps his last long sleep 
^neath the spreading holly trees on the grassy slope of the 
soldiers' plat, among many of his comrades who had given 
up their lives in defense of a common cause, in that most 
beautiful of cemeteries, Hollywood, situated in one of the 
most beautiful of Southern cities, Richmond, Virginia. 
The Lord had for a second time with His own hand wielded 
the chastening rod of correction, which fell upon the fam- 
ily with much greater force, if possible, than the former. 
He had removed from them by that fell-destroying angel 
the youngest of their boys, a tall, handsome, manly young 
fellow, just budding into a glorious manhood. But even 



26 ECHOES FROM THE BATTLEFIELD 

such depths of grief are not eternal. It runs its course un- 
til its fountains of tears become exhausted and the mouru- 
ers are aroused to a consciousness of the justice and mercy 
of that infinite, unchangeable and eternal Being who doeth 
all things well, and the silver lining to the darkened 
clouds which as a pall of sorrow hung above them for a 
season appears and the brigh visions of a glorious and re- 
united family in that land beyond the skies, where partings 
are no more becomes to them a fixed reality, and their 
lives are now spent in making preparations for that jour- 
ney which shall bring them at its close, eternal rest. 



OR SOUTHERN LIFE DURING THE WAR. 27 



CHAPTER VIII. 

We will now retrace our steps to the army of Virginia, 
where we find onr Northern friend Robert Clingan of Con- 
necticut doing excellent service. His reason for first com- 
ing South was to be freed from the galling yoke of bond- 
age which his unkind step-father was, against his will, forc- 
ing him to wear. And it was while he was working with 
the Southern Express Company that he became acquainted 
with Doctor C. and his sous. To Pickens theyounger he wa& 
devotedly attached, and when he unfortunately lost his 
position he removed to the doctor's house, where he was 
treated as a son and brother. He made himself very useful 
about the home, for life would have been burdensome to 
him had he not have been allowed the privilege of doing^ 
such things about the place as he thought necessary. He 
was but a few years older than Pickens, and was in stature 
of a medium height, stoutly knit frame, broad shoulders, 
a large, shapely head containing a face which could not be 
regarded as handsome, but one that bore the imprint of 
firmness combined with a sparkle of kindliness, which was 
almost equal to that of a woman ; and his manner was one 
of gentleness, a trait that made for him any number of 
friends. Such a man was be when he donned his jacket of 
gray and went forth to battle for the homes and firesides 
of his adopted country — the one in which he had spent 
the most happy moments of his life, and for which he now 



28 ECHOES FROxM THE BATTLEFIELD 

desired to figlit, aud if needs be die. The ties that bound 
him in brotherly afiection to Pickens and Edward could 
not nave been any stronger had they in truth been 
own brothers. As a soldier no man of Southern birth or 
parentage ever displayed more loyalty to its cause, or valor 
on its battle-fields, than this Northern born but Southcrm 
hero. He commanded the confidence and love of the men of 
his company, and the unbounded respect of its officers. A 
few months after the death of Pickens, Robert was selected 
by his captain as a courier to transmit through a very 
dangerous portion of the line an imj)ortant message to a 
superior officer. Mounted on a noble steed he dashed rap- 
idly off amid a rain of Minic-balls and shells, and had 
passed almost through unharmed, when he spied the officer 
for whom he was looking, and at almost the same moment 
he observed him to reel aud fall from his horse desperately 
wounded by an exploding shell. He quickly dismountedby 
the side of the officer, and tenderly lifted him up and placed 
him against aud behind a tree to insure greater safety ; but 
scarcely had he completed his mission wiien a Miuie-ball 
fired from the enemies' rifle struck him a center shot in his 
forehead, producing a ghastly wound, which brought to an 
luitimely close the life of one of the South's most deserving 
and daring heroes. When the news of his sad ending reached 
the home of his dear Southern friends, again tears of gen- 
uine sorrow began to flow and open afresh the bleeding 
wounds of those doubly stricken hearts. He now peace- 
fully sleeps on one of Virginia's noted battle-fields, where 



OR SOUTHERN LIFE DURING THE WAR. 29 

the noise and confusion of battle can no longer disturb, 
but where the white- winged angel of peace shall hover 
over until that glorious day cometh when the dead shall 
be raised and life eternal begins. 



30 ECHOES FROM THE BATTLEFIELD 



CHAPTER IX. 

Thus while these events were transpiring in the camps 
of the army of Northern Virginia, the great army of the 
Tennessee was pressing steadily forward under command 
of that skillful Union officer Gen. Wm. T. Sherman, who 
was using every means within his power to reach the South- 
ern seacoast. He had passed through Chattanooga, Ten- 
nessee, and was planning to make the master stroke of all 
his achievements. Atlanta was to him the apple of his eye, 
a place long desired ; for, from its situation as a railroad 
center, it was the key which, once in his possession and 
held, would unlock the entire Southern section and place 
it at his disposal. Doctor C. was at this time largely in- 
terested in one of the principal drug stores of the city, but 
devoted but little of his time to it until he was forced to, 
by the call made on his partner and clerks to enter the 
army. At this time none but professional men, boys under 
sixteen, and men over sixty were exempt from military 
duty ; therefore he was compelled to employ an old and al- 
most broken-down gentleman to manage, while the remain- 
der of his force consisted of very young boys. The daily 
sales were immense and money plentiful, but prices were 
exceedingly high, and everybody seemed to have an abun- 
dance of money. The writer does not recollect the price 
of drugs at that time, but he was like most children, ex- 
ceedingly fond of candy, and butter-scotch was one of 



OR SOUTHERN LIFE DURING THE WAR. 31 

his favorites, for which he then paid the sum of twenty- 
iiv^e cents in Confederate shinplasters and considered it 
cheap ; while now the same article could be purchased for 
a penny, yet money was so much more plentiful then than 
now, that the writer could then afford to buy more of it. 
Gen. Sherman commanding the Union forces, with an army 
consisting of one hundred thousand soldiers, was steadily 
pressing forward, while Gen. Joseph E. Johnston, command- 
er of the Confederate forces, with an army containing per- 
haps forty-five thousand men, was slowly falling back to- 
wards Atlanta, and had on the 9th of July reached a point 
about nine miles from Atlanta on this side of the Chatta- 
hoochee river. About five days later the bombardment of 
the city commenced in earnest, and an incessant firing was 
kept up until September 1st. The first intimation the doc- 
tor's family received was through one of his daughters, but it 
was not very cordially received by her. She had stepped out 
into the street to see and minister to the wants of a wounded 
Confederate soldier who was lying in an ambulance which 
had stopped not many feet from their frontdoor. A lady 
neighbor was with her, and while they were engaged in at- 
tending to his wants, they heard the report of cannons in 
the distance ; but when, a few seconds later, a shell exploded 
almost immediately over their heads, they at once sought 
the shelter of their homes, where they remained terrified, 
for each report of a distant cannon brought to them fears 
of a speedy and terrible death. From this time to the ces- 
sation of firing the female portion of his family rarely 



32 ECHOES FROM THE BATTLEFIELD 

ventured out of the house, and it was only at such times 
when there was seemingly a lull for a few moments. Some- 
times when the firing was exceedingly heavy the family 
would forsake the main house and enter the cellar where 
they would feel a little safer. Strange to say, while shells 
were constantly exploding directly over and in close prox- 
imity to the house, yet it remained untouched during the 
siege. Many fell in various portions of the yard ; one 
among the first was seen to penetrate the ground very near 
to the well. A negro went out and dug it up after consider- 
able labor, for it had embedded itself fully two feet in mother 
earth, and then taking it up, carried it into the house to ex- 
hibit ; but it chanced to be one of the long, heavy kind of 
percussion shells, and when the family spied the cap on the 
end, and knew it had not been exploded, they fled in mor- 
tal terror from it. She was ordered to take it out and place 
it to one side of the garden path near the grape arbor, 
where it remained for a nurai)er of years as a curiosity. 
Their little grandson and his cousin, who frequently called to 
see him, became so used to the bombardment that they would 
not hesitate to climb to the top of the gfape arbor and 
gather baskets of grapes. This boy would also frequently 
go from his home to the store with the old gentleman 
manager, and when they would hear the report of a can- 
non in the distance, they would at once drop down behind 
the base of some friendly fence or stone wall, then rise and 
go forward until startled by another report, and in this 
manner reach the store. Shells were frequently exploding 



OR SOUTHERN LIFE DURING THE WAR. 



33 



in the maiQ business portion of the city, and when they 
would come in contact with the hard paving stones there 
was no calculating what course they would take. Both sol- 
diers and citizens were maimed and killed in the streets almost 
daily. Most of the citizens constructed on their premises 
what were known as bombproofs, which were holes dug in 
the earth eight or ten feet deep, and ot a desirable width 
and length to suit the builder, covered overhead with heavy 
beams, which contained a covering of boards or tin to keep 
out the rain, and then covered with earth from three to five 
feet deep. The entrance to the small door was dug out in 
the shape of the letter L, and many persons' lives were pre- 
served by using them as a shield. Night and day for more 
than six weeks shells were constantly being thrown into 
the city, adding to the death-rate daily, and setting fire 
often to its houses, which kept the firemen very busy ex- 
tinguishing the flames. There was certainly a strange fasci- 
nation connected with the nightly bombardment, for there 
could be seen at almost any time numbers of lighted shells, 
which brightly illuminated the sky with their fiery trails, as 
they sped onward on their mission of death and destruction. 
There were many stone and brick houses situated on the 
outskirts of the city, which seemed to have been made as 
special targets for practice, which were almost completely 
battered down by the vicious shells. The citizens, which 
were mostly women and children, were in constant fear of 
the city being taken by the Federals. 



3 si 



34 ECHOES FROM THE BATTLEFIELD 



CHAPTER X. 

AVe now retiu'Q to the home of Dr. C, where we find 
him for the first time since his marriage lying sick, caused 
from drinking impure water on the island of Skida- 
way, where he had for some time served as surgeon to 
Colonel Stiles' regiment, ministering to the numerous sick 
soldiers, but was forced to retire on account of overwork 
and ill health. A few nights jireceding the evacuation of 
the city a large number of tiie Confederate forces were be- 
ing marched through the city from west to east, and fol- 
lowing close at their heels came straggling bands of camp 
followers, robbers, wearing the garb of Confederate sol- 
diers. The Union forces were expected momentarily to 
take possession of the city. The night was cool and starry. 
Dr. C. and family had retired early, but about midnight a 
loud knocking was heard at the back outer door. Mrs. C, 
who was very easily awakened, heard the noise and touched 
the doctor to see if he was awake, but, as she discovered, 
he was asleep, and as he was very sick, she did not desire 
to disturb him, so she quietly passed from her room into 
the rear one, at which door the knocking was beard; she 
crept cautiously to the door and demanded to know who 
was there. The response came, "Open the door and let us 
in." She then asked what was wanted, and the same 
voices still repeated, "Let us in or we will break the door 
down." As the Federals were momentarily expected and 



OPw SOUTHERN LIFE DURING THE WAR. 



35 



were greatly feared, she asked if they were Federals or 
Confederates. The terrible answer came, "Federals, and 
if you do not surrender at once we will burn your house 
down." The threats were not very pleasant to her, 
so she, not then knowing what was best to do, in- 
formed them that if as gentlemen they would come to the 
front door she would surrender. In passing through the 
room, she spied a large dinner-bell, which she seized as she 
passed into the hall, then mounted the stairway and aroused 
her daughters, Indiana and Carolina, and the little grand- 
son, who were sleeping in a front room upstairs. She, clad 
only in her night-robes, opened the front door upstairs 
which opened out on a balcony which was walled up on all 
sides about three feet, the tin roof of which was deeply cov- 
ered with a cold dew. Upon this she stood barefooted and 
thinly clad, bell in hand, vigorously ringing in hopes of 
arousing some of their near neighbors. While she was 
ringing the bell, her daughters, who were terror-stricken, 
opened the front windows and screamed at the top of their 
voices. Six or eight armed men could be seen moving 
around in the front yard; the leader took such a position 
as to enable him to see and be seen by Mrs. C. He 
commanded in a stern voice, "Madame, stop ringing that 
bell," but she paid noattention to the villain's command. A 
second time he called, "Madame, desist- at once, or I will 
shoot," at the same time bringing his rifle to his shoulder and 
taking direct aim at her; but her contemptuous answer was 
given by the increased number of strokes of the bell as it 



36 ECHOES FROM THE BATTLEFIELD 

pealed forth on the midnight air. A more heroically grand 
woman as she stood, expecting each moment to be her last, 
would take the search-light of years to discover. The 
dauofhters had descended to tlie room where the father was 
now not only awake and up, but, sick as he was, he had his 
trusty rifle pushed through the window, and had a perfect aim 
at the heart of one ot the men, and was inthe veryact of firing, 
when his daughters stayed the hand that would have sent the 
villain face to face with his Maker. His daughters pleaded 
with him and insisted that if he were a Federal and shoukl 
be killed by him, that in retaliation they would not spare 
a member of the family. By this time one of the neigh- 
bors, Mr. IL, was aroused and came over to ascertain what 
was the matter; he had a pistol in his belt around his waist, 
but he was quickly commanded to surrender, which he 
did, giving up his pistol and his belt at the same time. 
Soon after another citizen, who lived a short distance be- 
yond, was passing by on his way home, and he met with a 
similar fate, the only difference being he had no weapons 
to lose. The majority of the ])luudercrs were then in the 
streets, where they actually bade the two citizens to march 
ten paces to the rear, which was obeyed with great fear, 
for, in army language, its meaning was to be shot. Soon 
after a belated home-guard, known as a militiaman, chanced 
to be passing by ; -he was halted and closely questioned, 
and stated that he belonged to Joe Brown's (the Gover- 
nor's) "malish." They soon relieved him of his coat and 
hat and sent him on his way sorrowing. About the time the 



OR SOUTHERN LIFE DURING THE WAR. 37 

militiaman was out of sight a fearless young soldier by the 
name of Roscoe llyau, who was a friend of Dr. C. and fam- 
ily, but who knew nothing of the trouble, as the bell-ring- 
ing and screaming had ceased when the first two citizens 
had been detained, came by on his way home, and they at- 
tempted to play the same game on him, but in him they 
had met their master. He informed them in language too 
plain to be misunderstood that they were villains and 
scoundrels, and threatened to see that they were severely 
dealt with, and then passed on without further molestation. 
All of the prisoners were then released, and the would-be 
robbers and murderers slunk out of sight and hearing. 
Soon after a soldier was seen passing by, and, fearing that 
the men might return, Mrs. C. requested him to guard the 
house until morning. He stated that it would be impossi- 
ble Ibr him to do so, but insisted on leaving a gun for 
their protection in case of further trouble. She thanked 
him very kindly, but instead of going out to take it she 
requested him to lay it on the lawn, for she was suspicious of 
him, not knowing but what he might belong to the same 
gang who had just caused them much uneasiness. The gun 
which had been placed on the lawn by the soldier remained 
there until morning, when it was taken up. Months after, 
it was placed in the hands of a gunsmith for examination, 
who, in withdrawing the charge, found it had been doubly 
loaded, and had it been fired in that condition might have 
been productive of very serious results. The most reason- 
able supposition as to the motives Avhich led the bold but 



38 ECHOES FROM THE BATTLEFIELD 

cowardly scoundrels to make au uusuccessful attempt to 
break into the doctor's residence, must be attributed to 
the fact that one or more members of the party had 
some time in the past, by frequent visits to the store, be- 
come thoroughly familiar with the manner in which the 
business was conducted. They had evidently, while walking 
around in the various parts of the store making small pur- 
chases, closely observed the office department, and the large 
amount of Confederate bills, together with both gold and 
f^ilver in small quantities, was, when it chanced to come 
within the range of their vision, a temptation greater than 
their avaricious souls could resist. Hence they must have 
used their utmost skill as detectives in carefully watching 
tlie final disposition of the money. As all of the banks 
had removed from the city, it was a custom of Dr. C. to 
wrap up all the funds in paper, place it under his arm and 
take it home with him each evening. There can be but 
little doubt that these robbers had followed him home, 
spotted the house and taken in all the surroundings; and 
that when he was forced to take to liis bed on account of ill- 
ness they had missed him, and had at once discovered by 
casual inquiry not only his sickness, but his helpless con- 
dition, and a knowledge also that there were none but del- 
icate females to offer them any resistance when the proper 
time came for them to carry out their diabolical plans, 
which, in all human probability, might have been success- 
fully accomplished but for the heroism displayed by Mrs. 
C. and the timely arrival of that gallant young soldier, Roscoe 
11 van. 



OR SOUTHERN LIFE DURING THE WAR. 89 



CHAPTER XI. 

Around and even near the center of the city earthen 
fortifications and entrenchments had been constructed, and 
it was among them in the frequent and fiercely fought bat- 
tles that many of the brave soldiers of the opposing ar- 
mies laid down their lives. General Hood, who had succeeded 
General Johnston, was an intense fighter, and was constantly 
giving the enemy open battle with great loss of life, and 
by doing so he entertained strong hopes of being able to hold 
the city. But on the 22d day of July occurred the most ter- 
rific conflict which had ever taken place between these two 
opposing armies, and which terminated in the killing and 
wounding of thirty thousand soldiers, and the killing of 
two of their most distinguised officers. General McPherson, 
commanding the Federal army of the Tennessee, was killed 
while attempting to reach his troops after the assault had 
begun, having been with General Sherman when the as- 
sault was first made. He came upon a line of Confederates 
and, when wheeling to escape, was shot dead in a skirt of 
woods about midway between Atlanta and Decatur. Major- 
General Walker, of the Confederate forces, was killed near 
the same spot while leading his division into battle. The 
United States Government has erected a monument in 
honor of General McPherson on the same spot upon which 
he fell. It is constructed of cannon balls, fenced with 



40 ECHOES FROM THE BATTLEFIELD 

rifle barrels, which forms a neat and most appropriate trib- 
ute to his memory, as well as a reminder of those days of 
the sad past which tried men's souls. The splendid Mc- 
Phersou Barracks, situated about five miles from At- 
lanta, are also named in his honor. An old red-clay fort, 
situated in beautiful Grant Park, which was occupied 
by General Walker and his men, is named in his honor. 
As General Hood failed to complete a victory, he had to 
content himself with holding Atlanta, which he success- 
fully did by detached fighting daily until September the 
first, when Gen. Wm, T. Sherman, having cut off his last 
resort for supplies by taking possession of the Macon and 
Western Railroad, he was forced to evacuate Atlanta, after 
a siege of nearly two months. On the following day 
Mayor James M. Calhoun, with a committee of couucilmeu 
and citizens, proceeded to the Federal camp, and, upon 
surrendering the city to General Sherman, asked protection 
for non-combatants and private property, which was prom- 
ised ; and only the very nearly complete destruction of 
the city can bear testimony to how much good faith was 
used by him in keeping the promise. On the following day, 
September the second, the Federal troops entered and took 
possession of the city. It was on this particular occasion 
that the grandson of Doctor C, in company with two 
little sons of Mr. Crankshaw, and one of Mr. Richardson, 
both of whose families were most excellent English people, 
took a walk of four long blocks to the Georgia Railroad 
depot, which was situated near the center of the city. 



OR SOUTHERN LIFE DURING THE WAR. 41 

The families of Mr. Craukshaw and Richardson had some 
milch cows; and as cattle feed was a very scarce commodity 
they were anxious to obtain anything in the shape of food 
for their cows, and knowing that the Confederate army 
had been compelled to leave a large supply of hardtack,, 
a large but miserable imitation of a cracker, their boys 
had been given sacks and told to go and fill them, and as 
the boys were playmates of Doctor C.'s grandson he went 
with them to assist in filling the sacks. They reached 
the depot, where they found a large supply of hardtack, 
and also a large number of boys engaged in moving them. 
While engaged in filling their sacks some one in the crowd 
announced that the Federals were already in the business 
portion of the city. The boys cast their eyes in that direc- 
tion and discovered that the announcement was only too 
true, for they could plainly discern the blue-coats in the 
distance, who were rapidly moving toward them, which 
sent a thrill of terror to their young hearts; and then, as 
it seemed to them, their race for life began, and with a 
swiftness almost equal to that of a deer they sped onward 
to their homes in hopes of safety. The home of Doctor 
C. was soon reached, where the younger of Mr. Crank- 
shaw's boys, and Mr. Richardson's, accompanied Doctor 
C.'s grandson into the house, when he crawled under his 
grandmother's bed for concealment, and it took consid- 
erable persuasion under promise of protection to get him 
out. The negroes working on the place had pictured the 
Yankees, as they called them, to him in the most glowing 



42 ECHOES FROBI THE BATTLEFIELD 

€olors, as beastly and bloodthirsty monsters, whose delight 
it was to catch meu, women and innocent children for no 
other purpose than to murder them. 

Soon after the boy came out from his place of conceal- 
ment, a Federal officer and his staff were seen riding down 
the street in front of the house, a fact which assured all 
that the enemy had taken possession of the city. An hour 
later the tramp, tramp, tramp, of the greater portion of 
General Sherman's army could be heard as they passed 
down the street by the doctor's house. This continuous mo- 
tion was kept up for several hours, when the command 
was given to halt and rest. No sooner had they broken ranks 
than hundreds ot soldiers' faces could be seen peering through 
the fence, which separated the street from the garden, and as 
the grape arbor, filled with temptingly luscious grapes, ap- 
peared before their vision, their mouths fairly watered, and 
their stomachs seemed to contain an aching void that could 
only be filled by a speedy and vigorous assault u})on them; 
which in less than five minutes was accomplished, greatly 
to the damage of both the grapes and the arbor. Perched 
as they were on every available inch of slat, they were re- 
minders of a flock of hungry blue-birds, and, strange to re- 
late, out of that vast number of men who enjoyed the 
privilege of feasting on those luscious grapes, all had taken 
them by force with the exception of one, whose gentlemanly 
instinct was so perfect that even the rough army life had 
failed to efface it. He came to the front door and gently 
knocked ; some meml^er of the family o})eued the door to 



OR SOUTHERN LIFE DURING THE WAR. 43 

fiud a pleasant- faced young soldier with cap in hand grace- 
fully bowing, and at the same time in a pleasant tone of 
voice requesting permission to be allowed to gather a few 
grapes. His gentlemanly demeanor had come so unexpect- 
edly that it gained for him the friendship of all of the 
doctor's family. His name was Kellog, and he came from 
Ohio. It was quite a fortunate occurrence, the meeting of 
this soldier, as the doctor was confined to his bed with a 
very serious illness, and was greatly in need of the services 
of a competent physician to attend him, and as there were uo 
Southern physicians, all having left when the city was evac- 
uated. The last Southern surgeon to leave the city was Doc- 
tor John Whitworth, a Mississippian who had been in con- 
stunt attendance upon the doctor for a week or more, and 
stayed at great risk until the very last possible moment. 
He was a nephew of Doctor C.'s wife ; and the family had 
to implore him to leave to avoid capture, and how anxiously 
they watched him as he j)ut spurs to his horse and rapidly 
disappeared from view, apparently safe from the boys in 
blue. Mr. Kellog was requested to have a Federal sur- 
geon visit the doctor, which he kindly did, and in response 
to his request Dr. Wra. C. Bennett, a very gentlemanly and 
eminent surgeon, called upon the doctor and found him very 
ill. He was suffering with a dangerous tumor on one side of 
his face, and the doctor decided that a surgical operation 
would be necessary; and he called in another surgeon to as- 
sisthim. After the operation was performed the doctor was 
much more comfortable, and began to improve very rapidly, 
but it required many weeks to fully regain his usual health. 



44 ECHOES FROM THE BATTLEFIELD 

When the surgeous first called on him they found him in 
a very weak condition, and greatly in need of a stimulant 
daily, and as the doctor did not possess any, the surgeons, 
as long as they remained in the city, were very careful 
to see that he was supplied with the very best rye 
whiskey from the United States Dispensary. They showed 
him every possible kindness and consideration, and by 
so doing they received the very grateful attachment of 
the doctor and his family, who were truly sorry when 
the time for their final departure had arrived. No words 
of praise could adequately express the gentlemanly and 
Christian character of these two noble Union surgeons. 
At sunrise on the morning of the departure of the Fed- 
eral army, the doctor's family awoke to gaze upon one 
of the most awful and sickening sights it had ever been 
their misfortuue to witness — their own beloved city en- 
veloped on all sides in a seetiiing mass of smoke and 
flame, madly curling upward to the blue skies above, 
and leaving belli nd only blackened ruins and heaps of 
ashes. General Sherman's men had applied the match, 
and the flames completed the work which it had begun; 
but not until it had brought many innocent owners of 
property to the very verge of, and in many cases abso- 
lute poverty. Unfortunately for the doctor, his entire 
stock of drugs, notes, accounts and valuable papers all 
went up in smoke. Just opposite the doctor's residence 
stood the handsome home of Mr. H., which was one 
among the very last to be fired. Some Union soldiers 



OR SOUTHERN LIFE DURING THE WAR. 45 

had been observed as they left the building, and a few 
moments later the house was one solid sheet of flame. 
The heat from the fire was so intense that it drew the 
rosin from Doctor C.'s front door. His family were liv- 
ing in the center of a circle, the edges of which were 
emitting flame, smoke and heat, as one of the wicked 
incidents of war. As descriptive power is almost inade- 
quate to vividly portray the real horrors of such a con- 
flagration, I shall not attempt it, but shall now speak of 
the people whose unhappy lot it M'as to observe it. 

The few remaining people underwent many privations 
and greatly needed the necessities of life, as it took sev- 
eral days for the farmers who were so fortunate as to 
live in sections of the country not devastated by the 
armies to reach the city with supplies ; many of them 
having traveled several hundred miles. 

Gradually the citizens who had been forced to leave the 
city by order of General Sherman, began to return for the 
purpose of clearing away the ashes and mouldering ruins of 
their former homes, so as to rebuild them in such a manner 
as their limited means would permit. And many tear- 
stained and saddened faces, as they gazed for the first time 
on their once happy homes, now blackened ruins, told only 
too plainly and truly of the completeness of the wreck 
left by General Sherman. 

Doctor C. had now practically recovered his health, and 
soon began to go among the ruins and examine the extent 
of the destruction. 



46 ECHOES FKOM THE BATTLEFIELD 



CHAPTER XII. 

Plunderers who lived some miles from the city began 
to come in large numbers for the purpose of stealing such 
furniture as still remained in the few houses that were left 
standing. Their depredations were so frequent that the few 
remainiog citizens held a meeting to organize a city gov- 
ernment for their mutual protection. Doctor C. was elected 
mayor to serve until the return of the mayor who had 
gone south after surrendering the city. One of the doctor's 
first official acts was to appoint every able-bodied man a 
police officer. Trinity Methodist Church was filled with 
pianos and handsome furniture of every description, be- 
longing to the best class of Atlanta's citizens, who, when 
ordered away by General Sherman, had been permit- 
ted to place them there for safe keeping. While the plun- 
derers might not have seen any moral wrong in taking that 
which did not belong to them, believing all things taken 
during war was fair, nevertheless their mistaken views did 
not obliterate the fact that they were thieves. Some of 
these people soon discovered that all they had to do was to 
go to the church and get a choice load of furniture and 
haul it home ; several loads had been taken when a citizen 
happened to make the discovery. The writer was present 
on one occasion when one of the thieves was attempting to 
haul ofi a load of elegant furniture, but was forced to re- 
place it at the point of a police officer's pistol. 



OR SOUTHERN LIFE DURING THE VvAR. 47 

Withiu a few months the greater portion of Atlanta's 
absent citizens had returned, and the sound of the hammer, 
saw and trowel could be heard in every portion of the city. 
All was now life and activity, and each and every one was 
striving to rebuild on the ruins, of what in the future was 
to be a great and magnificent city. Many years ago when 
it was not a city but simply a railroad terminus, the doctor's 
relative, that greatest of Southern statesmen, John C. Cal- 
houn, predicted that it would in the years to come become 
the greatest inland city of the South. How nearly correct 
were his views cannot only be substantiated by its one 
hundred and twenty thousand citizens of to-day, but by the 
vast number of visitors who have entered and passed 
through its portals, and partaken of its hospitalities, during 
the three magnificent expositions held here in the past 
twenty years. 



48 ECHOES FROM THE BATTLEFIELD 



CHAPTER XIII. 

A uight or two before the evacuation of the city, the Con- 
federate forces had many car-loads of exphjsive munitions 
of war, which it would be impossible to take wdth them, and 
lest it should fall into the enemies' hands they lined the rail- 
road tracks east of the passenger depot with them and set 
them on fire, the lurid flames of which as they sped upward 
lighted up the whole city, and the continuous noise of the ex- 
ploding ammunition was more terrible and intense as a ter- 
rorizer than the greatest battle which ever occured. Its effect 
upon the sleeping citizens who had no knowledge of what 
was to transpire was extremely startling, as the noise was 
as that of a near-by, fiercely-fought battle, and the bril- 
liancy of the illumination was such as the burning of a city 
in the distance would produce. After the departure of the 
Federals, the country for miles around presented a scene 
of almost unecpialed desolation. Many trees had fallen by 
the array-woodman's ax, and those left standing were but 
the shattered remnants of their former selves, for cannon- 
ball, shell and Minie had vied with each other in their 
attempts at relieving the mighty oaks and pines of their 
limbs and trunks. The woods and fields were strewn with 
the carcasses of dead and decaying animals, most of which 
had performed valuable service, but becoming disabled were 
shot or left to die of starvation, and the sickening stench of 
their dead bodies attracted numbers of buzzards which fat- 



OR SOUTHERN LIFE DURING THE WAR. 49 

tened on the dead and decaying remnants of war. Many 
hungry and half wild dogs made night hideous with their 
howling, and frightened the women and children greatly, as 
they could be seen at almost any hour daily running wildly 
about the streets, seemingly seeking whom they might 
devour. But enough of the devastating and sickening 
scenes of a war between what was once a union of brothers, 
now left desolate, and the former love now turned to bit- 
terest hate, as an effect of the appeal to arms ; such an exist- 
ing state of affairs was clearly discernible at its close. But 
time in its onward flight, closely pursued by a kind provi- 
dence, which bore upon its wing a heavenly balm for the 
healing of the nations, closed the gaping wounds of the 
bloody chasm, and cemented afresh with indissoluble ties 
of brotherly love and trust this glorious Union of States. 
And may the omnipotent God who so wisely ruleth over the 
destinies of nations ever keep it pure and spotless, and 
may no foreign foe ever invade our peaceful shores, lest 
they be driven to their ships and sunk beneath the waves 
by those gallant boys who once did wear the blue and the 
gray. 

4 si 



50 ECHOES FROM THE BATTLEFIELD 



CHAPTER XIV. 

While the war was ia progress, Virginia, who had married 
a Northern gentleman before its commencement, had moved 
to the State of New Jersey and was very comfortably situ- 
ated, and her happiness was well-nigh complete; but as 
the war clouds began to hover over this land, her mind 
was greatly disturbed, and her constant prayer was that it 
might be averted ; but when the declaration of war came, 
it found her drooping spirits completely shattered, for all 
that life held dear to her, with the exception of her hus- 
band, were living in her dear old Southland. Father, 
mother, brothers, sisters and kindred were now to be sep- 
arated from her by a line which to cross meant death, and 
she was even to be dcLied the pleasure of the weekly ex- 
change of letters which had been such a source of pleasure 
to her since leaving the old homestead, and then the awful 
thought that her father and brothers might be slain, and 
the mother and sisters left desolate ; and that perhaps she 
might never be permitted to look upon their dear faces 
again, filled her young heart with grief which was almost 
unbearable. 

While it had been determined that it would only be 
a few months before General Sherman would be knock- 
ing at the very gates of Atlanta, two of Doctor C.'s daugh- 
ters, Georgia and Florida, in company with a negro slave 
woman, refugeed to Columbia county, near Augusta, Ga., 



OR SOUTHERN LIFE DURING THE WAR. 51 

about two hundred miles southeast of Atlanta, where they 
spent their time very pleasantly visiting among their rela- 
tives ; but when the news reached them of the fall of At- 
lanta, their pleasure was turned to sorrow, for there was 
a dreadful uncertainty of the fate of the dear ones at 
home, as they knew not what had been the effect of the 
shelling upon them, or how they had fared since they were 
in the enemy's possession. Soon after the surrender of 
General Lee at Appomattox, Edward returned to his home 
in a hungry, footsore and tired condition, and the loving 
reception extended to this overpowered but unconquered 
southern soldier boy was beautiful to behold. He was 
permitted to bring a beautiful new cavalry carbine 
home with him, which he gave to his little nephew, who 
was greatly delighted with it, and used it for several years 
in hunting quails, larks, robbins and doves. Soon after 
his return he was appointed city physician, the first At- 
lanta had ever had, and daily as well as nightly his calling 
was to minister to indigent poor, both white and black, 
and as smallpox was an epidemic, especially among the 
blacks, his position was not an enviable one ; he soon tired 
of this life, and as he was an exceptionally fine civil en- 
gineer he had no difficulty in obtaining the position of 
assistant engineer on the Atlanta and Charlotte Air Line 
Railroad, the first one surveyed in this section after the 
close of the war. 

After finishing this work he resumed the practice of 
medicine, but not in the city, as formerly, as he prefered 



52 ECHOES FROM THE BATTLEFIELD 

to do country practice. He established himself in Henry 
county, which adjoined his home, where he lived and most 
successfully practiced medicine for many years ; and so 
successful was he that he earned the sobriquet of Menin- 
gitis Doctor. He was soon happily married to a beautiful 
young girl, and to them was born a lovely little girl baby, 
which was the idol of his heart, but this tender little bud, 
which was by great suffering gradually withering away, 
was by the mercy of our Lord early called to blossom on 
the celestial shores. But while baby yet lived, and he was 
in the very midst of his happiness, his health began to fail 
find he decided to give up country practice. He soon 
removed to the little town in which he first beheld the 
light of dawn, Decatur, Ga. He had just recovered from 
a serious attack of j)neumonia, brought on by sleeping in 
cold shed-rooms, while attending country patients during 
the winter season. 

He had been in Decatur but a short time when his 
cough assumed a serious condition, and it was feared that 
consumption was slowly making serious inroads upon his 
once vigorous constitution. Some years prior to the war, 
while he was a student studying medicine, it was his 
nightly custom to go to his father's office and seat himself 
in a very strongly built and comfortable office chair, which 
had an arm large enough to accommodate a book and 
lighted candle. On this occasion he was sitting in the 
chair, his mind deeply absorbed in study, when suddenly, 
without any warning, the floor sank down one story, 



OR SOUTPIERN LIFE DURING THE WAR. 53 

carrying him with it, while the roof at the same time 
settled down upon the floor, but his life was in some 
miraculous manner saved, perhaps attributable to the strong 
chair, which acted as a support for the roof and kept it off 
of him. The loud noise occasioned by the collapse of the 
building brought out the fire department, as well as a 
number of citizens, who were eager to know if any one 
was in the building when the collapse occurred. Some one 
announced that Edward had been caught in the fall. Im- 
mediately every one began to search for him, and each one 
would loudly call his name. His feeble voice was soon 
heard by a negro man, who approached with an axe in 
hand, and by cutting some timbers, which held him pin- 
ioned down, soon rescued him from his perilous position. 
It was ever afterward a standing joke that he had to be 
"axed" out. It has been said that although he was 
covered with lime dust externally, and his lungs filled with 
the same, caused by the falling plaster, that as soon as he 
was placed on his feet, although he was in a dazed condition, 
he immediately ran for his home so rapidly as to have done 
credit to a race-horse. This accident no doubt caused his 
lungs to become weakened, and when he was seized with 
pneumonia it was more than they could stand ; hence con- 
sumption in the very worst form had surely seized upon 
him as its victim. As he gradually began to fail his father 
and mother persuaded him to leave Decatur and come to 
live with them in Atlanta. But how sad it made his loved 
ones feel, as day by day they noticed the wasting away of 



54 ECHOES FROM THE BATTLEFIELD 

his body, and the increased coughing attacks as they were 
followed by slight hemorrhages at first but increasing as 
the disease progressed ; but the dear patient sufferer never 
gave up hope for a final restoration to health. How beau- 
tiful were his expressions of thankfulness to each and every 
one who showed him the slightest kindness or attention, 
and it was absolutely a real pleasure to be permitted to do 
him even the slightest little kindness. At length after a 
long and wearisome night, when the day dawn was being 
ushered in, the time for his departure from this sin-smitten 
world had arrived, and his spirit took its flight to the 
great beyond, and from the purity of his life and unshaken 
trust in the Christ who died for him, we feel sure that he 
now peacefully sleeps among the many just made perfect, 
who have long since passed from death to life eternal. 



OR SOUTHERN LIFE DURING THE WAR. 



55 



CHAPTER XY. 

A reunion ot the doctor's family had been planned to 
take place the year following the war. And Missouri, 
who had removed from Atlanta during the latter part of 
the war to Mobile, Ala., was to attend in company with 
her husband and little son James, asVas also Virginia with 
her husband and three lovely little girls, Virginia, Lucy 
and Bertha. The grandparents, aunts, and uncle were 
very anxious to meet the little girls whom they had never 
seen. Virginia, with her little family, arrived promptly 
at the appointed time, and the doctor's family was com- 
pletely overjoyed while receiving them, for it had been 
ten years since they had seen Virginia, and now they were 
not only to have the pleasure of her company again, but 
an additional one in looking after the three cunning little 
Yankee girls. Just here a divine providence intervened, 
which once more turned this household of joy into one of 
sorrow ; for their much-loved daughter Missouri had con- 
tracted a severe case of bilious fever which did not yield 
to the treatment of the skillful physician, but lay claim to 
her precious life. She was laid to rest in a magnificent 
vault in one of the most beautiful cemeteries of the South- 
land, situated in that lovely gulf city. Mobile, Ala., where 
the magnolia trees flourish in all their beauty summer and 
winter, and where the odors of the sweetly perfumed cape- 
jessamines are wafted by the gentle gulf breeze, and the 



56 ECHOES FROM THE BATTLEFIELD 

mocking-bird sweetly siugs its evening song. Thus comes 
to pass the saying, man proposes but God disposes. Hence 
the joyous reunion so carefully planned could never in full 
be carried out. Missouri's husband and little boy came ; 
but oh what sadness the sight of their faces brought to that 
home! After spending a month with her parents Virginia 
and her family returned to their Northern home, where 
they lived happily for the following six years; but sorrow 
soon came, for her husband was seized with a lingering 
but fatal illness, which within a year called him to his 
reward, for which he had made full preparation. Death 
having separated her from her husband, Virginia became 
very lonely, and determined once more to return to the 
home of her parents and remain with them during their 
declining years, and in order to do so she leased out her 
beautiful home, after which she bade farewell to home and 
friends, and was soon mingling again with the loved ones 
of her childhood. Bat not a year had passed since her 
arrival before her father. Doctor C, was stricken down 
with pleuro-pneumonia. He had been suffering with a 
severe cough for more than a week, when, on a beautiful, 
balmy February day he imprudently wore a pair of rather 
low-quartered shoes instead of boots as was his custom ; 
at night he was seized with most violent pains, not only 
in the region of the chest, but extending to the bowels. 
He at first thought it was a severe case of colic, but after 
using his usual remedy for its treatment without relief, he 
became convinced of the nature of his disease and the ma- 



OR SOUTHERN LIFE DURING THE WAR. 57 

lignancy of its character and remarked to members of his 
family who were present that it would surely prove fatal, 
and, after much suffering for twenty-seven days, death 
came as a relief to him. He had passed the seventy-fifth 
mile-post on life's rough and care-worn road, but his vig- 
orous manhood was shown by his wonderful power in re- 
sisting so stubbornly a disease which at that time was 
almost an epidemic, and was taking off almost without ex- 
ception every one who was so unfortunate as to he stricken 
with it, and one which usually claimed its victims in from 
ten to fourteen days. 

The doctor had been physician to Fulton county prison 
for over seven years, between the years of 1865 and 1874, 
and had attended every sick prisoner contained within its 
walls, both county, State and United States, and there was 
a vast number of them ; nine-tenths of which he treated 
with a liver pill of his own make. But strange as it may 
seem, although he treated almost every disease incident to 
this climate, not a solitary death occurred under his treat- 
ment. This is a stubborn fact which remains uncontro- 
verted by the medical profession of the world, that the doc- 
tor's record as well as his pills have never been equaled. 
His pills made him locally famous, but in doing so ruined 
his general practice, as his patrons, after using them one 
time, found that by sending to the doctor for a box of his 
pills they could, by using them in time, ward off disease, 
and save the necessity as well as the expense of the atten- 
tion of a physician. 



58 ECHOES FROM THE BATTLEFIELD 

The death of the doctor brought to a close, a noble, 
generous, sympathetic and well-spent life, and although he 
had passed the allotted three-score years and ten, he was 
no idler, his talent had not been laid aside to rust, and 
when the call, come higher to thine everlasting home, 
sounded in his ears, he was actively engaged in giving medi- 
cal attention not only to those living in affluence by whom 
his daily bread came ; but he bestowed the same watchful 
care and attention upon the humblest negro in his rude 
cabin as upon the most favored ones, recognizing the scrip- 
tural injunction of love one another, be kind one to another, 
and thus fulfill the law of Christ. A large concourse of 
friends as well as patients, many of whom had been by his 
skillful treatment through the mercy of God, as it were, 
almost raised from the dead and restored to health, gath- 
ered around the bier to pay their last respects to one whose 
kindly face and gentle voice would never more be seen or 
heard on earth, and as they consigned his body to the grave 
and his spirit to the God who gave it, many were the tears 
that mingled with the earth of that city of the dead — beau- 
tiful Oakland cemetery of Atlanta, Ga., where he is now 
peacefully resting from his labors. 

The removal of the good old doctor from this busy world, 
left the faithful wife who had started out on life's pilgrim- 
age with him, to climb the steep and rugged pathways 
alone, and his helpful companionship for over forty years 
was now brought to a close, until they meet in paradise. 
Life to Mrs. C. was now very desolate, and but for the 



OR SOUTHERN LIFE DURING THE WAR. 59 

companionship of her daughters and grandsons would 
hardly have been worth the living. But she was spared 
not only long enough to see her eldest grandson fully grown, 
but to clasp in her loving arms and bless his baby boy, her 
first great-grandson; but she did not tarry long after his 
arrival, for the weight of eighty-two years fell too heavily 
upon her to permit her to withstand a desperate case of 
pneumonia with which she was seized. After a useful life, 
one spent in doing good and trying to make others happy, 
in fact, all with whom she chanced to come in contact, her 
spirit winged its flight to the land beyond the skies, where, 
now in company with her loved ones who have gone before, 
she anxiously awaits the coming of the dear ones left on 
earth and hopes for that family reunion which was planned, 
but failed to succeed on earth, to materialize in Heaven. 

Oakland cemetery, situated on an eminence which over- 
looks the city to the westward and the beautiful farming 
country for miles around to the south and east, is pic- 
turesquely beautiful with its trees and shrubbery, lawns, 
flowers, driveways, vaults, and marble shafts. One especially 
noticeable stands as a monument to the many Confederate 
heroes who are buried near its base. And not far from 
this sacred spot, side by side, rest the bodies of Doctor C, 
his wife and son Edward, together with grandchildren and 
great-grandchildren. The intervening space between the 
spot where the doctor and his bonny bride first made their 
home nest is but five miles from where they now peace- 
fully slumber, and all their living descendants, with the 



60 ECHOES FROM THE BATTLEFIELD 

exception of their grandson James, who is seeking a for- 
tune in the far West, are so near to their last resting-place 
that they could visit it daily. Thus I draw to its close a 
sad but true storv' of Southern Life durinsf the War. 



Copy of a letter from one of the Union surgeons who so 
skillfully treated the doctor during his illness: 

Danbury, Conn., Jan. 21st, 186G. 

Dear Doctor. — I have some anxiety to hear from the 
friends I left in the Confederacy when we began our march to 
the Sea. Mrs. llolbrookwas here last summer, from whom I 
learned that you were all alive and had a house to shelter you. I 
was glad to learn that much. She also gave me some messages 
you sent me, showing that I had not been forgotten. I as- 
sure you it was most pleasant to hear from all of you after 
so long an absence, and especially after seeing the heavy 
cloud of smoke hang over the city when we left. I suppose 
you lost the store; this is why I wished you to take as many 
as possible of the goods to the house, for fear of some such 
thing, though I had no knowledge; yet I had learned in war 
to prepare for the worst. But we won't talk longer on this 
subject, it is pleasant neither to you nor me. We have come 
out of it with our lives, and let us be thankful for this good. 
I intended to call and see you the morning I left, but I was 
behind the rest of my staff and had to hurry. I would have 
liked to bid you good-bye though. We had a very pleasant 



OR SOUTHERN LIFE DURING THE WAR. 61 

march to Savannah, when I left and came home soon after 
the war closed, and you and I were heartily glad of it. So 
I think were the armies of both sides, and so were the right- 
minded men all over the country. I came home and went 
into practice ; am doing a fair business. I am not married 
yet as your wife advised me, and cannot until I make money 
faster, dry-goods fall or girls want fewer dresses. Tell her 
I intend to marry about the time that Yankee blacksmith 
or hospital fellow brings back the buggy she lent him. I 
have a few friends here and some enemies. The radical 
democrats do not fancy me because I went to the war and 
endorsed it. The radical republicans hate me because I 
am not an abolitionist, because I voted for McClellau and 
against negro suffrage. You saw the vote of Connecticut 
on the question of letting negroes vote in this State. The 
returned soldiers voted no almost to a man, which shocked 
the abolition party greatly. The people here who aspire 
to be genuine cod-fish aristocrats and are simply mud- 
turtle aristocrats are mostly homeopathists, hating my father 
and self worse than the gentleman in black (decidedly). 
Party spirit runs high, and one must be a radical or be voted 
out of both parties. I and some others are on a high fence 
trying to keep out of reach of the yelping crowd and our- 
.selves undefiled (though occasionally some filthy fellow 
throws a lump of mud at us), until some conservative party 
comes around willing to work for the best interest of the 
whole country, when we intend to join in. I hope it will 
come soon, for surely we will go to the dogs soon if we keep 



62 ECHOES FROM THE BATTLEFIELD 

on at the same pace we are now going. Why can't all sec- 
tions of the country consent to bury the past, become recon- 
ciled and go to work with a hearty good-will for the com- 
mon interest. Please write me what you know of the con- 
dition of the South, crops, manufactories etc., and the senti- 
ment of the people. All about Atlanta. All about your 
family, and what became of the son who was at war when I 
saw you. I hope he came home safely. Remember me to 
all of your family separately and individually. I shall not 
forget them soon, for meeting with them was one of the few 
pleasant incidents of my war life. I enjoyed it much, and 
only wish we could have met under pleasanter circum- 
stances. Remember me to Mrs. Hoi brook. How are ray 
**parvenue" friends, the Schofields. You need not remem- 
ber me to them as I do not seek the acquaintance. 

Yours truly, 

Wm. C. Bennett, M.D. 

Just as the closing lines of this story were being writ- 
ten, a speck at first, but gathering strength until it be- 
comes of such magnitude, as it floats from Spain to our 
peaceful shores, as to be pronounced a war cloud, is being 
viewed by seventy-two millions of patriots, who are no 
longer divided by the bloody chasm of thirty-five years 
ago, but who have shaken hands across it, and as brothers, 
standing side by side, not in blue nor in gray, but in a 
mingled blue and gray, they offer to place upon the altar 
of their country any sacrifice, even life itself. 



OR SOUTHERN LIFE DURING THE WAR. 6S 

THE ORPHAN GIRL'S PRAYER. 

BY G. W. BROWN. 

Let me go to my home — lam weary of earth, 
Not a friend have I left in the land of my birth ; 
Let me go where the bright waters chime as they flow 
With the songs of the angels — O there let me go. 

Let me go to my father — I remember the day 
When the bell sadly tolled as they bore him away ; 
And I watched for his coming, when the sunlight grew low. 
But he came to me never — to him let me go. 

Let me go to my mother — she calls me away 
To the bower that is green with the garlands of May, 
And I know that her heart doth with love overflow 
For the last of her household — to her let me go. 

Let me go to my sisters — I'm fading like them, 
And dark on my forehead is growing life's gem ; 
And I shall love them above as I loved them below, 
Their sweet voices call me — O world, let me go. 

Let me go to my brother — I wept when he died, 
And I longed to be laid in the grave by his side ; 
It's been night in my heart since they laid him so low. 
Earth's last tie was broken — to him let me go. 



■64 ECHOES FROM THE BATTLEFIELD 

Let me go to my home — as the lone mountain bird, 
To a sunnier clime when the bleak winds are heard ; 
Let me go where the bright waters chime as they flow 
With the songs of the angels — O there let me go. 



OR SOUTHERN LIFE DURING THE WAR. 65 



THE WAR IS OVER. 

Thanks be to God that peace aud prosperity now reign 
in its stead, and every section of this great country is now 
peaceful and happy, with nothing to mar. Phoenix like 
the proud little city of Atlanta has arisen in its might and 
floated the ashes of 1864 out on the breezes of each passing 
year, until now not a vestige of the old scar remains as a 
reminder of the unpleasant past. But in its stead, standing 
peacefully serene, are magnificent residences, churches, 
schools, factories and towering office buildings, whose flags 
as they float out upon the winds, are beckoning to the many 
good citizens of other climes who are looking for something 
better to come and lend their aid in the further develop- 
ment of this now grand and growing city ; the destiny of 
which is now considered by all who have taken the pains 
to watch its past progression, to be specially suited by lo- 
cation, climate and healthfulness, to become the most im- 
portant as well as largest city in the Southland. There can 
be no doubt of its becoming the educational and financial 
center from the character of its present inhabitants as 
well as those who are constantly being added to its num- 
bers. Its citizens are most certainly to be classed among 
the best on earth, and yet they come from almost every 
tribe and nation, and scarcely is there ever the slightest 
note of discord among them, they are so perfectly blended 

5 si 



66 ECHOES FROM THE BATTLEFIELD 

in a commoa desire to do something good and great for 
their famous city. Life and property are perfectly safe, 
each man's opinion is his own, and no one dares to molest 
him. The courts accord equal justice to all. Its system of 
public schools is well nigh perfect, as is also its street 
railways, which extend out into the country many miles, 
connecting many of the near by towns. Its ojiera houses 
and places of amusement rank with the best. It has many 
imposing church structures of almost every denomination, 
filled by some of the best pulpit orators, who are thoroughly 
consecrated and devote much of their time to the poor and 
sick, in alleviating their temporal as well as their spiritual 
wants. The manufacturing interests are quite large and 
are steadily growing. The climate of Atlanta is unsur- 
passed and I might with safety add well nigh perfect. The 
winters are rarely excessively cold, the greater portion 
being so pleasant as to discard the use of an overcoat. The 
spring and summer seasons are delightful, and a compari- 
son with those of other cities will prove its superiority. It 
has a beautiful park situated on its eastern side, given by 
that philanthropic gentleman, the late Col. L. P. Grant, 
and named in his honor. It can be reached by electric cars 
in twenty minutes from the center of the city, and its 
beautiful drives, walks and lake are a source of much pleas- 
ure to its citizens during the heated days of summer. Its 
cyclorama affords much pleasure to both young and old, for 
there they can see the battles of the past fought over. The 
Gress zoo given to the city by that kind-hearted gentle- 



OR SOUTHER?^ LIFE DURING THE WAR. 67 

man, Mr. Geo. V. Gress, as it stands upon a beautiful emi- 
nence just east of, and overlooking beautiful Lake Abana, 
filled with many species of wild animals, from the monkey 
to the elephant, is the El Dorado for the children, as their 
happy smiles and joyous laughter prove ; and the name of 
the generous donor will ever be held in high esteem by the 
happy children of the present and future generations. The 
Soldiers Home, an institution which must not be regarded 
as a charity, was built by the subscriptions of a loving and 
generous people in payment of a debt of gratitude due to 
the aged and infirm veterans of "the lost cause," who risked 
their lives and received many wounds and scars which they 
will carry to their graves in defence of the homes 
and firesides of their people. Too much credit cannot be 
given the many old soldiers who planned and worked so 
faithfully to establish this glorious retreat, where the aged 
and weary might pleasantly spend the evening of their 
lives. Among all who labored for the establishment of this 
glorious institution, there were none who more unselfishly 
gave from its incipiency, his time and means, than the gal- 
lant and genial Colonel William Lowndes Calhoun, and for 
which the people of this State should forever love and honor 
him. East Lake four miles east and Lakewood four miles 
south, the Chattahoochee River eight miles northwest and 
Ponce de Leon Springs two and one half miles distant are 
important places during the summer season for they all 
furnish fresh air and shade for many overworked and tired 
citizens. One of the most important discoveries and one 



68 ECHOES FROM THE BATTLEFIELD 

which will tend largely to the future growth of Atlanta, 
was the accidental discovery within six miles west of it, of 
a spring of water as light and pure as nature could make 
it. It is very similar to and an analysis of it reveals the 
fact that it is the twin brother of the famous Poland Spring 
of Maine, which has made so many wonderful cures. It is 
somewhat superior to it because it contains less organic 
matter and less solids, and although it has been opeil to the 
public less than two years, yet its fame is already spreading 
abroad, and it is being shipped to various parts of the 
country for a much smaller price than Poland. Both of these 
waters have had numbers of persons to give their testimony 
to the numerous cures they have affected in liver, kidney and 
stomach diseases, dyspepsia, indigestion, constipation and 
skin diseases. This water, it is claimed, will remain on the 
stomach after it has refused to retain every other known 
liquid. I had almost forgotten to give the name of this 
newly discovered and wonderful spring. The water is 
known as Cascade Pure Spring, and flows out from among 
the rocks at the foot of a high and densely shaded hill in 
the little town of Cascade, Ga. The Atlanta ^lineral 
Water Supply Company of this city are sole agents for the 
sale of this water. The writer has driven out with friends 
over a lovely chert road six miles to see this wonderful 
new spring and was amply repaid for his trouble. For not 
only was the ride highly enjoyable, but the beautiful scen- 
ery through which he passed, and especially the hills, val- 
leys, and water-fall over the rugged granite rocks were 



OR SOUTHERN LIFE DURING THE WAR. 69 

life-insj)iring, but after drinking a number of glasses from 
the cool spring in succession without any discomfort, a 
feeling of exhileration came over him, and he felt that he 
should like to live always in the shadow of the trees of 
this great hill, and watch the ripple of the cascade as it 
flows over the rooks, and drink of the water of its spring 
forever. All who have sufifered from nervous dyspepsia or 
indigestion, may readily know how I appreciated the drink- 
ing of more than one glass of water at a time without pain. 
We understand a movement is now in progress to build a 
large Hotel and Sanitarium for the pleasure and rest of 
the tired and overworked, and the cure of the sick. I now re- 
peat that with all of these advantages which have come to us 
since 1864 we may look forward to greater gains in the 
number of inhabitants, and rest fully assured as to its future 
prosperity. A visit to Atlanta for pleasure, or if sick a 
visit to Cascade for health, and you will want to live among 
us forever. 



70 ECHOES FROM THE BATTLEFIELD 



Accompauying the followiag note, addressed to^'Cav- 
lier," was the beautiful poem from the pen of Maj. J. R. 
Barrick, entitled "The Monunieut Oak and Pine," which 
we take great pleasure in laying before our readers of the 
Intelligencer, it having at our earnest request been handed 
us by "Cavalier" for that purpose. The poem itself is one 
of the finest that has emanated from the pen of the gifted 
author, and this is saying much for it. It is a compliment^ 
too, to "Cavalier" that his Christmas story, published in 
this paper, had the effect of giving inspiration to one whose 
poetic genius is recognized far and wide in bis beloved 
South, and from whose graceful pen have flowed so many 
beautiful tributes to the virtues of her daughters and the 
valor of her sons. "The Monument Oak and Pine," which 
we now present to our readers, will be received by them 
with delight, and will add largely to the fame of the author. 

Atlanta, Ga., January 6, 1867. 
Dear Sir: — Whilst reading last evening "The Morning 
Ride," by John Randolph etc., which is accredited to your 
ready and graceful pen, I chanced upon what I fancied to 
be a pretty theme for a little poem. The result is herewith 
enclosed, with many misgivings as to the success with 
which the subject is handled. 

Very truly yours, 

J. R. Barrick, 



OR SOUTHERN LIFE DURING THE WAR. 71 



THE MONUMENT OAK AND PINE. 

He did not ask the marble slab 

Above his dust should rise, 
Nor the gilded shaft with its story point 

To the blue Virginia skies ; 
A laud to its high-born idols wed, 

He knew would his memory shrine, 
Long as he slept in the classic shade 

Of the mighty Oak and Pine. 

The sculptured stone and sacred urn 

May tell of the dying name, 
And the monument to the ages bear 

The record of its Fame; 
Yet vain were such to his piercing eye, 

As he scanned the shadowy years, 
And his name on the royal roll, 

The brightest among its peers. 

His eye in its fervid glances set 

On Fame's eternal sun. 
His star in the zenith of glory rose 

With that of Washington ; 
And scornful of all worldly pomp — 

Of the hollow sound of praise, 
He traced the scroll of his cenotaph, 

In the light of the after-days. 



72 ECHOES FROM THE BATTLEFIELD 

He sleeps as the sous of genius sleep, 

On a consecrated spot ; 
While the trump of fame to the world proclaims, 

He shall never be forgot ; 
For ages still will Virginia's heart 

Over the spot recline, 
Its grief with the mournful requiem blend 

Of the sentry Oak and Pine. 

Keen as the clear Damascan blade 

Each quick, sarcastic word, 
His thoughts in a gush of eloquence 

That the coldest bosom stirred. 
As the nervous glance of his flashing eye 

Through the council chamber ran. 
When armed with the Jael-sword of truth. 

He led in the Roman van. 

Blent with the dust of their kindred soil 

His ashes of renown. 
With his memory like a jewel set 

In Virginia's casket-crown; 
And as the seasons come and go. 

And the passing years decline. 
No greener spot will the sleeper mark 

Than the sturdy Oak and Pine. 

[On the highest elevation within his rail enclosure,or yard, 
stood an Oak of great size, facing the east, and twelve 



OR SOUTHERN LIFE DURING THE WAR. 73 

feet towards the west was an enormous pine of immense 
height and majestic mien. In this space John Randolph, 
at an early day^ selected his final resting place. His wishes 
in this respect were not disregarded, for in that memorable 
space, without tombstone or monument, and with only the 
Oak and Pine as nature's sentries, rest the ashes of Vir- 
ginia's brightest intellect. — Cavalier.] 



74 ECHOES FROM THE BATTLEFIELD 



ONLY WAITING. 

[A very aged man in an almshouse was asked what he 
was doing now. He replied: " Only waiting."] 

Only waiting till the shadows 

Are a little longer grown ; 
Only waiting till the glimmer 

Of the day's last beam is flown ; 
Till the night of earth is faded 

From the heart once full of day ; 
Till the stars of heaven are breaking 

Through the twilight soft and gray. 

Only waiting till the reapers 

Have the last sheaf gathered home ; 
For the summer-time is faded, 

And the autumn wiuds have come. 
Quickly reapers, gather quickly 

The last ripe hours of my heart, 
For the bloom of life is withered, 

And I hasten to depart. 

Only waiting till the angels 

Open wide the mystic gate, 
At whose feet I long have lingered, 

Weary, poor, and desolate. 



OR SOUTHERN LIFE DURING THE "WAR. 75 

Even now I hear their footsteps, 

And their voices far away; 
If they call me, I am waiting, 

Only waiting to obey. 

Only waiting till the shadows 

Are a little longer grown; 
Only waiting till the glimmer 

Of the day's last beam is flown; 
Then from out the gathering darkness 

Holy, deathless stars shall rise, 
By whose light my soul shall gladly 

Tread its pathway to the skies. 



76 ECHOES FROM THE BATTLEFIELD 



♦'HOME OF THE SOUL." 

BY FRENCH STEANGE. 

In a clime where no cloud ever shadows the sky, 

And no storm-burst of sorrow can roll, 
Xor a murmur of sadness mar ever its peace, 

Is the Beautiful Home of the Soul. 

When the tumults of earth shall forever subside, 

And I fathom the ultimate goal. 
Through the portals ot pearl may I entrance obtain 

To the Beautiful Home of the Soul. 

To my rest would I glide as a child to its dreams : 

As the beams of the morning unroll. 
Wing upward my flight from this cheerless abode 

To the Beautiful Home of the Soul. 

What is there to bind these affections below? 

Where vain lusts and wild passions control: 
When there's peace to be found that is lasting and sweet 

In the Beautiful Home of the Soul, 

As into the night wanes the evening of life, 

May no billows of doubt o'er me roll: 
The valley of shadows let me traverse in faith, 

To the Beautiful Home of the Soul. 

From the fetters that gall 'twould be sweet to be free, 
And the chains which enslave — from the dole 

Which embitters life's dream with the pangs that will fade 
In the Beautiful Home of the Soul. 



OR SOUTHERN LIFE DURING THE WAR. 77 

During the spring of 1902 our highly esteemed and 
faithful friend, French Strange, Christian, poet, and author ; 
a gentleman of the old school, endowed with many sterling 
virtues, both of the head and heart ; a man who was pos- 
sessed with a very strong intellect and a resolute will ; as 
a writer wielded his pen with great force, especially when 
bent on correcting some public error, where ever he found 
the columns of the papers open to his uses. His was a 
gentle, yet courageous nature. As a husband, father and 
friend, he w^as next to incomparable; while as a citizen he 
was one of the few whose lives were for the betterment of 
the world. His frail and tired body was suddenly and 
without warning brought to its rest while his spirit winged 
its flight to the "Beautiful Home of the Soul." 
His devoted friend, 

Noble C. Williams. 



78 ECHOES FROM THE BATTLEFIELD 

[This poem was written in loving memory of our darling 
little sou, LeRoy Livingston, who for six short years was 
one of earth's fairest angels, then in the sweet spring-time, 
"when the arrows of noon-day lodged in the tree-tops 
bright, he fell in his saint-like beauty asleep by the Gates 
of Light."] Father. 

VISIONS. 
Beautiful the visions that are borne to me, 

Down on the misty sea of Time, 
Sweeter far than the bloom of the lotus- tree. 

Or the breeze from the whispering lime : 
And I live in the days of the long ago. 

While a child's dear face I see: 
For our little Roy we have loved — not lost. 
Is standing again at my knee. 

But the vision is past — it is gone — 

And it fades from my sight away : 
I^ike soft rose-tinted clouds are lost 

At the close of a sun-lit day: 
And another is passing by — 

A picture, wondrous, sweet and fair, 
For on our Roy's angel face 

Is resting a smile, from '^over there." 

But this one, too, fades from my sight, 

While another is ])assing by : 
And I almost touch our darling's hands. 

As in snowy grace they lie : 



OR SOUTHERN LIFE DURING THE WAR. 79 

O, Vision : I would bid you stay 

Forever in my heart to keep : 
So saint-like is our Roy's face, 

So beautiful his sleep. 

Then comes the last — the fairest one — 

A child's dear form in white I see : 
And close beside the Gates of Pearl 

Our Roy stands, and waits for me. 
O, Visions fair ! O, Visions bright ! 

Thou needs't not tell thou art Christ-given : 
For scenes so beautiful and pure, 

Can only come to us from Heaven. 

Mother. 



80 ECHOES FROM THE BATTLEFIELD 



THE CONQUERED BANNER. 

BY A BEAM J. RYAN. 

(The Poet Priest.) 

Furl that banner! for 'tis weary; 
'Round its staff 'tis drooping dreary ; 
Furl it, fold it ; it is best ; 
For there's not a man to wave it, 
And there's not a sword to save it ! 
And there's not one left to lave it 
In the blood which heroes gave it ; 
And its foes now scorn and brave it — 
Furl it, hide it ; let it rest ! 

Take that banner down ! 'Tis tattered ! 
Jiroken is its staff" and shattered ; 
And the valiant hosts are scattered, 
O'er whom it floated high ; 
Oh ! 'tis hard for us to fold it — 
Hard to think there's none to hold it I 
Hard that those who once unrolled it, 
Now must furl it with a sigh ! 

Furl that banner! furl it sadly ! 
Once six millions hailed it gladly, 
And ten thousand wildly, madly, 
Swore it should forever wave ! 



OR SOUTHERN LIFE DURING THE WAR. 81 

Swore that foeman's sword should never 
Hearts entwined like theirs dissever ; 
And upheld by brave endeavor, 
That dear flag should float forever 
O'er their freedom or their grave. 

Furl it! for the hands that grasped it, 
And the hearts that fondly clasped it, 
Cold and dead are lying low ; 
And that banner prone is trailing, 
While around it sounds are wailing 
Of its people in their woe ! 

For, though conquered, they adore it, 
Love the cold dead hands that bore it, 
Weep for those that fell before it — 
Pardon those who trailed and tore it ; 
And, oh, wildly they deplore it, 
Now to furl and fold it so ! 

Furl that banner! True 'tis gory. 
But 'tis wreathed around with glory, 
And 'twill live in song and story, 
Though its folds are in the dust ! 
For its fame on brightest pages. 
Penned by poets and by sages. 
Shall go sounding down the ages. 
Furl its folds though now we must. 



6 si 



82 ECHOES FROM THE BATTLEFIELD 

Furl that banuer ! sadly, slowly ! 
Treat it gently — it is boly, 
For it waves above the dead ; 
Touch it not — unfold it never! 
Let it lie there, furled forever, 
For its people's hopes are dead I 



OR SOUTHERN LIFE DURING THE WAR. 83 



YE BATTERIES OF BEAUREGARD. 

I;Y JAMES R. BARRICK, OF KENTUCKY. 

Ye batteries of Beauregard ! 

Pour hail from Moultrie's wall ; 
Bid the shock of your deep thunder 

On their fleet in terror fall ; 
Ruin your storm of leaden fury 

On the black invading hosts — 
Tetich them that their step shall never 

Press on Carolina's coast. 

Ye batteries of Beauregard ! 

Sound the story of our wrong ! 
Let your tocsin wake the spirit 

Of a people brave and strong ; 
The proud names of old remember — 

Marion, Sumter, Pinckuey, Green; 
Swell the roll v/hose deeds of glory. 

Side by side with theirs are seen. 

Ye batteries of Beauregard ! 

From Savannah on them frown ; 
By the majesty of Heaven 

Strike their grand "Armada" down ; 
J3y the blood of many a freeman, 

By each dear-bought battle-field, 



84 ECHOES FKOM THE BATTLEFIELD 

By the hopes we foQclIy cherish, 
Never ye the victory yield ! 

Ye batteries of Beauregard ! 

All along our Southern coast, 
Let, in after-time, your triumphs 

Be a nation's pride and boast ; 
Send each missile with a greeting 

To the vile, ungodly crew ; 
ISIake them feel they ne'er can conquer 

People to themselves so true. 

Ye batteries of Beauregard ! 

By the glories of the past. 
By the memory of old Sumter, 

Whose renown will ever last. 
Speed upon their vaunted legions 

Volleys thick of shot and shell ; 
Bid them welcome, in your glory, 

To their own appointed hell. 



OR SOUTHERN LIFE DURING THE AVAR. 85 



[From the Savannah News and Herald.] 
"IN MEMORIAM." 

BY FATHER RYAN. 

We are indebted to Rev. A. J. Ryan, the gifted South- 
ern poet, for a manuscript copy of lines on the death of his 
brother, a Confederate soldier, who died on one of the bat- 
tle-fields of Kentucky. It was one of the pieces read at 
the entertainment for the benefit of the Catholic orphans, 
and Father Ryan's introduction to the reading of it was 
thrilliugly pathetic and eloquent, and was received by the 
audience attentively and with the most impressive silence. 
The speaker stated that he had a brother, at the breaking 
out of the war, who applied to him for advice regarding 
the army. He referred him to their mother, to whom the 
young patriot wrote an appeal. Like many a Southern 
mother, she told him to go and defend the cause of his 
people. He died under the Confederate flag ; but the 
speaker would rather have him there under the soil of 
Kentucky, in a soldier's grave, than living in a down-trod- 
den land. The lines cannot be read without emotion by 
any capable of appreciating the sensations so poetically ex- 
pressed. 

IN MEMOKIAM— D. J. R. 

Thou art sleeping, brother, sleeping 

In the lonely battle grave ; 
Shadows o'er the path are creeping — 
Death, the reaper, still is reaping — 



86 ECHOES FROM THE BATTLEFIELD 

Years are swept, and years are sweeping, 
Many a memory from my keeping, 
But I am waiting still and weeping 
For my beautiful and brave. 

When the battle-songs were chanted, 

And war's stirring tocsin pealed. 
By whose songs their heart was haunted 
And thy spirit, proved, undaunted, 
Clamored wildly — wildly panted — 
"Mother, let my wish be granted, 
I will ne'er be mocked and taunted 
That I fear to meet our vaunted 
Foeman on the bloody field." 

"They are thronging, mother, thronging 

To a thousand fields of fame ; 
Let me go — 'tis wrong, and wronging 
God and thee to crush this longing: ; 
On the muster-roll of glorv 
In my country's future story. 
On the field of battle gory, 
1 must consecrate my name." 

"Mother, gird my sword around me; 

Kiss thy soldier-boy 'good-bye'." 
In her arms she wildly wound thee, 
To thy birthland's cause she bound thee, 



OR SOUTHERN LIFE DURING THE WAR. 87 

With foud prayers and blessings crowned thee, 
And she sobbed : "When foes surround thee 
If you fall, I know they found thee 
Where the bravest love to die." 

At the altar of their nation 

Stood that mother and her sou ; 
lie — the victim of oblation, 
Panting for his immolation ; 
She in priestess' holy station, 
Weeping words of consecration 
While God smiled his approbation, 
Blessed the boy's self-abnegation, 
Cheered the mother's desolation. 

When the sacrifice was done. 

Forth, like many a noble other, 

Went he, whispering soft and low, 
"Good-bye; pray for me, my mother; 
Sister, kiss me ; farewell, brother ;" 
And he strove his grief to smother; 
Forth, with sjjirit proud and peerless — 
Forth, with footsteps firm aud fearless — 
And his parting gaze was tearless, 
Though his heart was lone and cheerless, 

Thus from all he loved, to go. 

Lo, yon flag of freedom flashing 
In the sunny Southern sky ! 



ECHOES FROM THE BATTLEFIELD 

On — to death and glory dashing — 
On — where swords are clanging — clashing — 
On — where balls are crushing — crashing — 
On — 'mid perils, dread, appalling — 
On — they're falling — falling — falling — 
On — they're growing fewer — fewer — 
On— their hearts beat all the truer — 
On — on — on — no fear — no falter — 
On — though 'round the battle-altar 
There were wounded victims groaning — 
There were dying victims moaning — 
On — riijcht on — death — dantrer bravino: — 
AV^arring where their flag was waving, 
And baptismal blood was laving 
With a tide of crimson water 
All that field of death and slaughter; 
On — still on — the bloody laver 
!^^ade them brave and made then braver; 
On — with never a halt or waver — 
On — they're battling — bleeding — bounding, 
AMiile the glorious shout is sounding, 
'^We will win the day or die." 

And they won it — routed — riven. 

Reeled the foeman's proud array. 

They had struggled long and striven. 

Blood in torrents they had given. 

But their ranks, dispersed and driven. 

Fled disgrace fullv awav. 
L.cfC. 



OR SOUTHERN LIFE DURING THE WAR. 89 

Many a heart was lonely lying 

There that would not throb again ; 
Some were dead and some were dying ; 
Some were silent, some were sighing ; 
Thus to die — lone — unattended — 
Unbewept and unbefriended — 

On that bloody plain. 
When the twilight, sadly, slowly. 

Wrapped .its mantle o'er them all ; 
O'er these thousands lying lowly — 
Hushed in silence deep and holy — 
There was one, — his blood was flowing 
And his last of" life was going — 
And his pulse faint — fainter beating 
Told his hours were few and fleeting; 
And his brow grew white and whiter 
And his eyes grew bright and brighter — 
There he lay — like infant dreaming, 
With his sword beside him gleaming; 
For the hand in life that grasped it, 
True to death — still fondly clasped it. 
There his comrades found him lying, 
'Mid the heaps of dead and dying; 
And the sternest there bent weeping, 
O'er that lonely sleeper sleeping, 
'Twas the midnight — stars shone 'round him — 
In a shroud of glory bound him ; 



90 ECHOES FROM THE BATTLEFIELD 

And they told us how they found him 
Where the bravest love to fall. 

Where the woods like banners bending, 

Drooped in glory and in gloom — 
There, when that sad night was ending, 
And the faint, far dawn was blending 
With the stars now fast descending — 
There — they mute and mournful bore him- 
With the stars and shadows o'er him — 
There — they laid him down so tender. 
And the next day's sun and splendor 
Flashed upon my brother's tomb. 



OR SOUTHERN LIFE DURING THE WAR. 91 



TO MY FRIEND. 

We miss you and our hearts are sad and lonely, 
We miss you and the void is never filled, 

It calls your name forever and yours only, 

As one great need, love-born and life-enstilled. 

We miss yoii, as the captive shut forever 
Within blank walls of ever-living gloom, 

Mu-st miss the song of birds, the shining river, 

God's best sunshine and all earth's joy and bloom. 

We miss you as life's sweet and pleasant hours 
Are missed when through long care, jar and fret, 

And bitter loss, our tears wet withered flowers. 
And all life holds forevermore-regrets. 

Your pictured face in memory's jeweled setting 
(A clearer view than genius ever threw 

On painted canvass) leaves us no forgetting, 

Even though our hearts were less bereaved and true. 

We miss you with our single balm for sorrow, 
Else greater than our burdened hearts could bear; 

Our souls sometimes, in God's fair to-morrow, 
May meet and greet each other "over there." 

Vivien Castaxe. 
Brunswick, Georgia. 



92 ECHOES FROM THE BATTLEFIELD 



WHEN RUCKER CALLS THE ROLL. 

BY F. O. CHASE. 

How thick the mem'ries come to ruiud, 

Of many a tented plain, 
Of fading lines, of faded grey 

And gastly heaps of slain, 
Of bugles blaring through the night 

In tones that stir the soul. 
The days of '62 come back 

When Rucker calls the roll. 

Full many a roll call comes to mind, 

Full many a sad parade 
Of muskets glinting down the line 

And gleam of saber blade, 
Though few they be who do not sleep 

Beneath some grassy knoll. 
In vivid visions all come back 

When Rucker calls the roll. 

Then here's to Rucker — loyal heart, 

Faithful and tried and true — 
And when death's bugle sounds for taps 

Our prayers shall go with you. 
May many years pass o'er your head 

Ere the last sad bell shall toll 
To tell that faithful Rucker 

No more shall call the roll. 



OR SOUTHERN LIFE DURING THE WAR. 93 

The foregoing beautiful poem written by a white comrade 
m honor of a colored man, who can as perfectly call the roll 
of his company to-day, as he did during the war, is but an 
expression of the true feeling as it to-day exists between the 
whites and blacks who were companions during the war ; 
one as master, the other as slave, yet their love was and 
still continues strong for each other. Uncle Amos, as he is 
familiarly called, is a well known colored citizen of Atlanta 
and has been a familiar figure upon its streets ever since 
the close of the war, and the man, woman, or child, who 
has for any length of time been a citizen and has not the 
honor of this grand old man's acquaintance, has certainly 
missed something ; for the genial happy smile on his face 
as it beams over with good nature, when he politely raises 
his hat and at the same time speaks some pleasant and 
cheering words, would almost touch a heart of stone. 

Amos Rucker entered the army with his young master, 
Sergent Cornelius Samples, who was sergent of Company 
C. 63rd Ga. Regiment, and in every manner proved him- 
self loyal and true to the Southern cause. He is now a 
member of Camp Walker Confederate Veterans of Atlanta. 
His friends, and they are many, all hope and believe that 
the Georgia State Legislature, now in session, will substan- 
tially reward him for his services in the past, and his loy- 
alty of the present. It would be but a fitting tribute to 
show to the world that the great State of Georgia is as 
ready to grant pensions to its worthy colored soldiers as it 
is to their former masters, whom they so faithfully served. 



94 ECHOES FROM THE BATTLEFIELD 

Amos, who is now 74 years old, would greatly appreci- 
ate this little token of recognition, and his prayers would 
no doubt follow the generous doners. A word to a wise 
legislature is sufficient. And now dear old friend, may the 
closing days of your life be spent surrounded with peace 
and plenty, and when the time comes for you to withdraw 
from the battles of earth, may you be fully prepared to 
answer the call of the roll when the Master shall call your 
name at the heavenly gate. 

Your friend, 

Noble C. Williams. 



Atlanta, Ga., March 24, 1898. 
I have read the manuscript of an interesting War Sketch 
written by Mr. Xoble C. Williams of this city, entitled 
Echoes From The Battlefield, or Southern Life During 
The War. It is written in an easy, flowing and pleasing 
style, and its perusal will repay the time devoted it. 

French Strange. 



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